[246] 6. Clash of Magic (6)
Dante was bewildered. He hadn't exactly expected a warm reaction, but at the very least he'd hoped the nation's top student would give some kind of special response—good or bad. Instead, Amy offered the same ordinary well-wishes she gave other underclassmen.
"That's it? Honestly, I'd like at least a compliment. Not that it matters—I'll win anyway."
Seriel, furious, grabbed Amy's and Shirone's wrists and forced their hands together.
"Are you kidding me? That's enough for someone who's about to fight her boyfriend. What more do you want? Amy's on Shirone's side, so dream on!"
Dante had never heard that before. Now that he thought about it, he'd never asked who Shirone's girlfriend was. Shirone didn't look like the type to hang out with girls.
"Really, Amy?"
"Yeah. Really."
Amy's confirmation wiped the color from Dante's face.
"Shirone! Dante! Over here! We need an interview—hurry!"
A representative from the Teachers' Association called them over. They were scheduled for interviews before the match.
Shirone followed the official and said, "I'll be right back. See you after. Don't leave—wait for me."
Dante trailed behind him in silence. He felt one-upped and didn't even want to taunt him. How could Amy possibly be dating a yokel like Shirone?
"Hmph. Doesn't matter. She'll be mine by the time I'm done with him. I'll crush him in this match."
Dante wasn't the type to chase after women loudly like Closer, but having a beautiful, intelligent woman at his side made a man stand out.
In that sense, Amy belonged next to him—she wasn't someone who should be with a country bumpkin.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Dante watched Shirone closely.
He'd been collecting information everywhere, and everyone he'd asked said Shirone was the best.
What struck him most was that people said it without any pride or offense.
Why was such a mild-mannered guy considered the best? Was he hiding something?
Canis had warned it wasn't wise to provoke Shirone. Iruki had said only Shirone could control her.
Amy—the school's top prodigy—was Shirone's girlfriend.
Even Mark and Maria kept giving Shirone looks of respect they seldom showed anyone else, even before Dante's name.
At that moment Dante felt his heart race. It was a tension he'd never experienced before.
The more information he gathered, the blurrier Shirone became.
Who exactly was Shirone?
Dante arrived at the back of the practice field with a troubled mind. The teachers' interviews hadn't finished—Killain stood beside Sade asking questions while a videographer recorded.
With every question, Sade's face grew whiter. Dante thought she might become so transparent you'd see her bones.
"I think Dante and Shirone are about fifty-fifty. But if there's a variable, maybe six to four."
"Understood. Thank you."
Killain turned away as if she'd seen enough. The answers were meager, and a nervous face wouldn't make a good article.
Besides—fifty-fifty. In her head, Dante was a ten and Shirone a zero. As a knight she might rate it nine to one.
Killain moved on to Etella, who was visibly nervous.
"Ahaha! Yes, yes. Shirone is such a kind child. Oh, and Dante is an excellent student, too. I hope everyone can get along—ahahaha!"
"…Yes. Understood. Thank you for your kind words."
When Killain ended the interview briskly, Etella sighed with relief. Realizing the disaster, Sade approached Etella and pretended to cry.
Their articles would never be published.
Killain was getting annoyed. She'd prepared for the five top schools, but every teacher she'd met lacked media savvy.
She pinned her hopes on Shiina, the last one. If Shiina couldn't carry it, Killain decided she'd cut the teacher interviews altogether.
"Hello, Professor Shiina. Killain from the Teachers' Association."
"Yes. Olifer Shiina."
Shiina nodded toward the recorder with her characteristically cold expression.
Killain's eyes lit up. Finally someone she could use.
Good person, good expression. This one's deliverable.
Shiina answered every question calmly and plainly. There was no reason for her to be nervous.
"Thank you. One last question. You're presiding as judge today. Who do you think will win, Dante or Shirone?"
It was cruel to ask a teacher to predict a student's victory, but it was Killain's job to think of provocative questions.
The crueller, the more entertaining. Students across the country bought magazines for pieces like this.
Shiina thought a moment, then answered with composure.
"Personally, I think Dante has the edge. Maybe seven to three. But whoever wins doesn't define a mage's level. Restricting magic to combat is anachronistic and barbaric."
"Ah… I see. Thank you for your time."
Shiina bowed slightly and stepped out of the camera's focus. Her polished exit made Sade want to cry even more, while Etella gushed.
"Wow, amazing. I was so nervous I couldn't say anything."
"Tch, she's from the Olifer school. What could a nameless teacher like me offer?"
"Oh no, Sade, you did fine."
Etella patted Sade's back, but it didn't comfort her at all.
Killain finally approached the day's protagonists.
Dante first, Shirone second. Whoever finished the interview first would have more time to collect themselves before the duel.
"Dante, you'll do well today, right? I'll write a flashy article—give me something spectacular."
"Haha! Don't worry. When have I ever not been spectacular?"
"How charmingly put. Then we'll begin."
Killain's cheer faded into seriousness. Dante answered with wit and polish, even seeming to know which angles made his face look best on camera.
"Yes, it's in accordance with Master Olivia's wishes. Spreading the capital's advanced magic to local communities is a great way to narrow the gap between schools."
"Oh, but isn't that a disadvantage for you, Dante?"
"Haha! Not at all. If the overall standard rises, I'll only be more driven. And this is my final semester before graduation. It's time to go pro."
"Bold words for the kingdom's top prospect. One last question: you've overwhelmed many opponents before—how about today's duel? Should we expect a spectacle?"
"First, Shirone is an Unlocker, and his talent is exceptional. It should be a good match. But as always, the winner will be me. I'll show the essence of information magic today."
"Thank you. We look forward to a good result. Now, let's bring Shirone over. Shirone, could you come this way?"
"Ah, yes!"
Shirone had assumed he'd have time after Dante's segment and had let his guard down. Standing in front of the recorder, he felt the weight of the teachers' gazes.
Dante's interview had even included praise for his opponent, so Killain's questions were loaded. Should he say what she wanted to hear, or speak honestly? He had no idea.
"I… right. I entered the School of Magic this year."
"So the rumors were true! No wonder Dante acknowledged you. How do you feel about having the chance to face the kingdom's top student? Do you feel lucky?"
Most of Killain's questions were about Dante, but Shirone had no time to resent it. The urging looks made finding words a struggle.
"Ah, yes. I don't like fighting, but getting a chance like this is a good thing."
Killain sighed inwardly.
Don't say "good" twice. He sounds clumsy. This kid's no star.
There were students who'd ridden others' fame to make names, but Shirone was unmistakably a country boy. He had decent looks and might attract attention if he dressed up, but with such awkward phrasing he wouldn't appeal to Bashka's girls.
Dante watched Shirone's interview and turned away as if he'd seen all he needed to.
Killain asked her last question.
"We can't leave out Shirone's opinion. Many experts predict your defeat—what do you think about that?"
"Uh… I can't accept Dante."
Killain, seasoned though she was, lost her timing for about half a second. Then she recovered and blurted out for the camera, "Wow, wow! What a challenger's spirit! I wish Shirone the best of luck. This has been Killain, special correspondent for the Teachers' Association."
Dante fixed his gaze on Shirone as he walked away: a steel-like mind hidden under awkwardness. It wavered now and then, but its shape never changed.
So that was you, huh?
For the first time, Dante truly saw Shirone.
The stands were full.
The front row belonged to the teachers, and only two center seats were empty. You didn't need to look to know who would take them.
"Heh heh heh, Principal Olivia really does have flair."
As Alpheas and Olivia appeared, the teachers stood.
Students in the back, not knowing why, also rose, and the crowd's skyline rippled like waves.
Alpheas, seated in his place, looked around and, as if struck by a thought, grabbed the armrests and pulled his chair forward.
"My eyes are getting dim. I should watch up close."
Olivia flushed and strode over at the absurdity of having the entire first row shoved back.
"What are you doing? Don't embarrass me in front of everyone."
"C'mon now, come forward. It's easier to see."
"Are you mad? Sit like a civilized adult. What do you think this is, an underground fight ring?"
"Heh heh, I'm all fired up today."
"What are you going to do when you get old and your blood's boiling? Men and their nonsense. Our picture'll be in the magazine. Sit properly."
Alpheas slouched, crossing one leg over the other in a rakish pose as he waited for the duel. Olivia scowled at his utterly disagreeable behavior.
"Sit up straight. You're the principal—act like it."
"If you say so, go ahead and leave."
Alpheas acted like a dilettante, and Olivia sniffed. Then she coolly dragged a chair closer and sat beside him.
If she left him be, an article might run saying Mirhi Alpheas had gone senile.
Alpheas propped his upper body up, rested his arm on the armrest, and cupped his chin. Olivia glared—he'd never listened to her since their student days—yet his eyes seemed aflame. Olivia pouted as old memories briefly crossed her mind.
"You're not actually hoping for anything, are you? It's a match Dante has to win."
"How can you be so sure? I'm not here to root for anyone. If Shirone loses, that outcome could be meaningful too."
"What senile nonsense is that?"