91 90. Registration completed.txt (2/2)

So you want to fight fairly and squarely for your own wishes.

Yeah. So, I'm going to ask you to quickly bet your ”bracelet” on it. Isn't it obvious?

Pretty decent means.

In a way, this is an anomalous duel offer.

Rastiara is risking his own safety to get my bracelet. I've heard that it's a common practice in 'battle tournaments' to stake one's possessions. If you say, ”I was prepared to participate in the tournament with the intention of getting caught for Kanami Aikawa's bracelets,” there is a high possibility that you will not be able to resist the atmosphere of the venue.

It's a decent and reasonable procedure.

It was different from my image of Rustyala Foodsayers.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a more absurd method of getting things done.

--There was one thing I didn't like about that too decent application: ”But that's not what you're doing.

But that's assuming you're stronger than me, isn't it?

That's what I think 'Rustyala Fuzzy Yards' can do to beat 'Aikawa Uzumi'.

''Hmm, I think it's a good match?　Unlike Kanami, who's good at covering up, I specialize in direct combat. Most importantly, my experience with opponents is different. These guys have a whole lot of battle theory in them, for one hero.

'That's an optimistic prediction. It's a nonsense idea that I'm so good at covering up that I'm not good at direct combat. In a legitimate fight, there's no reason for me to lose.

For some reason, I didn't want to lose to the girl in front of me.

I truly want to be stronger than the girl named Rastiara.

It's like a child's heart that wants to dress up in front of the girl she loves.

I stare at Rustyala with hostility so that she doesn't realize it.

I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.

--We stare at each other and silence falls.

Then another voice interrupts.

It was Rowen.

''--Haha, that's an unexpected turn of events for me as well. I like the confidence you both have in yourselves. Very good. Yes, things are getting interesting. After all, there should be a place for swordsmanship in the competition.

Loewen, who hadn't said anything because she guessed it was between acquaintances, starts to talk about her feelings, happy to see the story coming together.

She appears to be buoyed by the unexpected appearance of a powerful enemy.

Then he closes with a smirk and a confident look on his face.

''--But I'm sorry, but I'll take the win.

He declared that he would not be defeated by me or by Lastiara.

It was a solemn declaration, similar to a knight's oath.

Along with the voice, an unidentified oppressive feeling hit me. Rowen's magic power is low. In other words, this oppressive feeling is not magic.

I break out in a cold sweat as Rowen's unfathomable sense of intimidation overwhelms me.

”I'm sorry, but I'm not calling for a guardian right now. ......

In contrast, Rustyala, not to be defeated, chuckles back.

A ferocious magical power, symmetrical to Rowen's, envelops the area. It's simple and straightforward, hence the terrifying oppression. I can't stop sweating at that vicious magic power.

'............'

Then, after the standoff, there is a second silence.

.............

In the silence, Rustyala and Rowen's eyes flickered to us.

Do I have to say something about this, too? .......

The two grinning, apparently only seem to be expecting it.

It was perfectly clear from ”Dimension Decisive Arithmetic (Gradient)” that they were paying attention to us even as they stared at each other.

From the flow of things, maybe I should also deploy Dimension Winter (Di Winter) to create a chilling oppressive feeling.

However, if you expect me to do that, it's hard to do the opposite.

Hence, I didn't say anything and watched the two of them stare at each other.

'............'

The silence continues to flow.

Unable to bear it, Rustyala calls out to me, dripping sweat.

''...... Ho, ho, ho. Do you have anything from Kanami?

No, not really. ......?

'Oh, I'm not in a good mood!　Hey?

Rustyala asks Rowen to agree.

'Yes. All that good flow has been halted.'

Rowen nodded and followed Rustyala to give me a no-no.

I didn't think it was a betrayal.

These two should have met for the first time now. However, they are unusually close.

Maybe there is something in common. In a bad way.

After that, the tense atmosphere dissipated and we laughed at each other.

I didn't let my guard down at the very least, but that guard was slowly fading.

Then, after talking about trivial matters, he said, ”Well then, I'm busy too, so I'll be leaving soon. Don't die until the 'Dancing Tournament', both of you,” said Rustyala, and left.

He moved on the roof and was still fast as ever.

I quickly make sure that she disappeared until she was out of the reach of the Dimension, and I let my guard down to a minimum.

Next to me, Rowen was excited about the unexpected enemy.

She seems to be looking forward to the time when she fights Rastiara.

Thus, my second encounter with Rastiara was safely over.

◆◆◆◆◆ ...

After registering for the tournament, we return to Epic Seeker's headquarters.

I didn't see Snow and the others in the office, so I used Dimension to locate them. We found people gathered in Maria's room upstairs, so we moved on.

''Ah. Welcome back, big brother.

Welcome back, my brother.

...... is finally back.

When I entered that room, I was greeted with three different words.

It was a bizarre sight. Each of them had a stick needle in their hands and were knitting while rolling a ball of yarn.

I walked up to Snow and asked her what was going on.

'What's going on?'

I tried to do something about it at ...... and ended up knitting.

Then Snow shows me the yarn in her hand.

'Why, knitting ......?'

...... because it's the only thing I can do there besides fight.

Two scarves that would have been completed fell around Snow.

By the way, Maria and the Reaper are finally about to complete one.

Apparently, Snow was teaching them both to knit, a special skill.

Perhaps it was unavoidable. The purpose of this is to calm down the Reapers who are bored with picture books.

'Wow, so you're good at knitting, aren't you, Snow?

...... I used to practice a bit back in the day.

Snow turns away in embarrassment.

But you can tell by looking at the finished product that it's no more than ”a little practice”.

I pick up the scarf Snow has made and look at it. There are two scarves, one with a striped pattern and one with a checkered pattern. They look good enough to be sold.

I don't need ......, I'll give it to you. It.

Yeah, can you give me that?

Snow says while turning away.

But no matter how much he turns away, the 《Dimension》 makes it clear that Snow is embarrassed to say it.

'...... I'm not cold, and I'm not cold. I have a surplus.

I appreciate it. Thank you.

I wrap the checkered scarf around me and put the rest in my 'belongings'.

'Oh, brother. I'll give you mine.

The Reaper, who was watching me, shouts out.

From a little distance, he tosses me a just-completed scarf.

The Reaper, like Snow, doesn't need a scarf.

The only thing she can wear is her own constructed magical clothing.

''Thanks.''

He received a poorly made scarf and thanked her lightly.

Nee, brother. Please accept mine too.

And then Maria comes along for the ride.

'Yeah, you should use it yourself, Maria. Snow and the Reaper only gave it to me because I never had to use it myself--

No. Please take it.

When I tried to reasonably decline, Maria smiled and repeated the same words.

'-- Oh, yes. Thank you.

I accept Maria's scarf, overwhelmed by the pressure I feel from that smile over Rustyala and Rowen.

Maria is blind. She still wears a bandage on her head.

But the scarf is a well-made scarf that doesn't bear that handicap. I knew she was good with her hands, but I didn't think she'd go this far.

As I received the scarf, Rowen behind me was looking at me with envy.

Rowen coughed and approached the Reaper.

'Reaper, don't you have mine?'

'What?　Why do I have to give it to Rowen?

Rowen's modest hopes were cut short by the Reaper.

'Wait, wait, wait. You've known me longer than Kanami, haven't you?　There should be some for me in the normal course of events.

'What?　Because Rowen is the enemy, right?

'Well, that's ridiculous ....... Funny .......

Rowen wrinkled his brow and looked seriously frustrated.

It's like an older brother who didn't get anything from his beloved sister on his birthday. It's so understandable.

I say to the unhappy Rowen, ”I'm sorry about that.

”I'm sorry about something.

I'm used to it. ......

I'm used to it: ......

Immediately, Rowen looks up. She's used to this kind of predicament.

That makes it all the more sad.

I guess that's what Rowen's life has been like to this day, and I put my hand on her shoulder.

I'll make you a scarf later. I'm good at this sort of thing.

Thank you, Kanami: ....... After all, it's a friend to have .......

Before I knew it, I had been upgraded to a friend.

Me and Rowen laughed bitterly at each other and confirmed our friendship.

Little by little, I began to understand Rowen's personality.

She is sincere and mature, but has a somewhat childlike personality. She has some harsh words for the Ripper, but there is an unmistakable gentleness at the core of her personality. He's a person worthy of trust.

--worthy of trust, 'person'.

It would be difficult to see Rowen as a guardian (Guardian) -- as a monster -- anymore. I reaffirm this as we laugh at each other.

But it shouldn't be a problem.

Although I will fight with Rowen in the ”Dance Tournament”, we will not kill each other.

We'll stay human to human and give Rowen what she wants and have her come to fruition.

I don't need to see Rowen as a monster to do that.

Hence, I laugh without a care in the world.

No problem.

It shouldn't be a problem: .......

For some reason, I couldn't get rid of my deepest fears .......