CH 95

“It seems our strategy for the survival battle doesn’t need to be changed.”

“Right.”

As soon as we arrived at the training grounds, we all formed a circle and began a strategy meeting over a lunch of bread and vegetable soup.

“So let’s decide on the details of the strategy now.’

“””Yes.”””

Everyone looked at Sophie and nodded seriously.

“First, Zero niisama, you will circle the stage either to the right or to the left, collect all the balls and return to our position.”

“Okay.”

“By the way, which way do you want to go first?”

“Left, then.”

“All right.”

I’ve decided on my role. Now it’s time to decide what everyone else’s role will be. By the way, I chose to go left because it was more appropriate.

“Everyone except you, Zero, will work in the teams we originally created.”

“”Yes.””

“And we will still protect the ball, but I will give new instructions on the spot based on the situation.”

“Understood.”

“Shana, please stay hidden and destroy anyone who comes to take our ball.”

“Understood.”

With this, everyone’s role was decided. As I had said at the beginning, there was little change from the original plan.

“However, there is a possibility that something unexpected will happen that will make it impossible to continue the mission.”

“I suppose that could happen.”

There’s no end to the number of unexpected things that could happen, such as me not being able to get the balls or Sophie and the others getting robbed.

“Should that happen, we’ll use the magic tool that lets us communicate at long distance for me, brother Zero and Shana. If the mission fails, please contact me. I’ll give you instructions for the next mission.”

“Okay.”

“Nn.”

“But let’s decide how to change the strategy for irregularities that are highly unlikely to occur.”

Then we thought of strategies to prepare for the most probable irregularities. As we all exchanged opinions and thought about the strategy, it quickly became evening. So today’s meeting ended with a strategy meeting. The next day’s training session at the training grounds was a coordination exercise with Sophie. But this time, there was little chance that she would need to work with me, so I was the only one training individually. That said, there aren’t many things I can do in front of people by myself. So I did what is now commonly called “lightning play,” which is my training for fast reflexes.

As I was training for the survival battle, the day of the battle finally arrived.

“From now on! We will now begin the inter-school survival battle!”

“”Oooooh!””

“Now, let’s go over the rules for this one!”

In the hall, the rules are being confirmed for those who weren’t at the opening ceremony. There were almost no people supporting us at the opening ceremony, but now there should be a few people cheering for us from the Kingdom of Lingalia. There are a few of them, right?

“Now the demonstration!”

When the MC said that, six screens appeared at the top of the arena.

“These screens show each team’s position and the most exciting places outside of it!”

A magic tool was activated in the arena, the inside of the arena was then covered with a black haze making it almost impossible to see what’s going on around us, so it seems they prepared a huge screen for the spectators with magic tools. It seems a lot of expensive magic tools are being used in this inter-school battle.

“Let’s demonstrate that you can’t die then!”

As he said this, the screen became much larger. Then two men were shown on the screen.

“Huh!”

“Gosh…!”

And then one of the men slashed the other man’s neck with his sword.

Boom!

When I heard the sound, the man whose neck was slashed,  came out of the arena unharmed.

“No matter how injured you will be, you will be unharmed when you leave the stage, so please don’t worry and watch.”

The demonstration of non-death may have looked like it was for the audience’s benefit, but I guess it was more for the competitors’ peace of mind.

“Now, competitors! Please come up to the stage.”

And then, each of us, one by one, went up to the stage covered in a black haze.

“Oh!”

Inside was a forest, just as they had described. There were no trees near the pedestal, but there were many trees just ahead. I really wonder how they made such a magic tool.

“The countdown will now begin!”

It seems that the only sound in the hall is the MC’s voice. And since it started, it will take a total of 5 announcements, 1 hour, 2 hours, 2 and a half hours, last 10 minutes, and last 1 minute. Of course, if our strategy goes well, we’ll only hear the announcement once, at most twice.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six!”

“Don’t move during the countdown, a couple of steps is fine, but obviously you will be warned if you walk too far.”

“Five, four!”

Me, Sophie, and Shana put on our long-distance communication magic tools, which were like necklaces without any decoration.

“Three, two, one!”

“Huuh…phew…”

I took a deep breath and calmed my nervous mind.

“0! Survival battle begin!”

“Lightning Enchantment!”

As soon as it started, I put on my lightning enchantment and started running.