Outsiders Join the Fray
“?”
An hour before the club competition was set to begin.
I was heading to the main venue when I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
……Why the hell are there so many people?
Spectators?
They didn’t look like they were just there to watch.
Everyone was chatting amiably, stretching, polishing their weapons.
They looked just like athletes prepping for their event.
……Can outsiders actually compete in the club showdown?
I pulled out the paper with the club competition details and scanned it.
Club Showdown.
Clubs compete against each other on set themes. It sounded a bit gimmicky, but there was no restriction limiting participants to Sky Academy clubs.
……No way they’re actually doing this, right?
It was a school festival, after all. Having clubs from other academies join in felt off.
……Oh. Most of the festival booths were already staffed by outsiders anyway.
Hmm. I mulled over the benefits of letting external clubs flood the festival.
……There’s more upside than I thought.
The biggest one? Prestige, hands down.
Sky Academy was currently seen as weakened—plagued by the “worst class ever” second-years, the Sage’s terrorist attack, and the descent of ancient monsters.
Naturally, plenty of other academies were eyeing the title of continent’s top school.
But if our clubs—not just any clubs, but ones made up of first- and second-years only—smashed them flat?
They’d lose their goddamn minds.
It’d prove Sky Academy was still going strong.
……But can we even pull it off?
Yeah, the intent was solid. Too bad that’s all it had going for it.
The second-years were the dead weight dragging us down.
First-years? Hell, even without me or Ashy, they were plenty strong.
Second-years? No. They weren’t just the bottom of the barrel—they were the worst. That nickname wasn’t bullshit. I’d felt it firsthand when I beat the crap out of them last time.
They didn’t even put up a fight like the first-years did!
Now, if—just if—by some goddamn miracle, clubs from other schools were actually competing…
I’d have to carry the whole damn thing.
I wasn’t attached to the academy or anything, but the principal and Professor Nipella were solid backers. That much was true.
Couldn’t afford to lose that support.
……Aren’t backers supposed to protect me?
Why the hell was I the one babysitting them?
Screw it.
There was no confirmation other schools’ clubs were joining anyway.
……They probably won’t.
It wasn’t like I was scared of losing.
I just wasn’t sure if I could beat the shit out of people who weren’t from our school or even acquaintances.
I’d be fine, but Professor Nipella, as an academy affiliate, might see it differently!
They seriously won’t, right??
So why was I feeling this uneasy?
“Oh my. Which school’s that cutie from~?”
“Should we chat him up?”
“Nah, let’s hold off. If we’re gonna hook up, do it after we win. Losing after flirting would be embarrassing as hell.”
“True that. Tsk. Still my type, though……”
Seeing those third- or fourth-year-looking students eyeing me and smacking their lips only ramped up my anxiety.
……No way, right? Please, no.
“Other schools’ clubs? Yeah, they’re participating.”
“?”
Wait, what?
For real?
Ashy closed the thick book she’d been reading, her face saying she thought I’d known.
“You didn’t hear? It’s been public info for ages.”
“News to me……”
“It was sent to all the club leaders.”
Club leaders? Who were they again?
Whatever. The club idiots didn’t tell me.
Those bastards—after all I’ve done for them!
As I ground my teeth, Ashy subtly took their side.
“They probably figured you knew, Eugene. Seeing you train like a maniac must’ve convinced them.”
Huh? Maybe?
But I didn’t hear shit.
So it was the club’s fault.
Double the training later.
And why are you defending them?
“Don’t make that hurt face. I was just saying what I thought. Anyway, why bring it up now?”
“Went to the competition venue and it was packed.”
“Makes sense. They’re probably nervous in their own way.”
“Eh? They were all cheery, teasing and hitting on me.”
“……What did you say?”
The thick book in her hand crumpled like paper. Seeing it crushed in the shape of her grip made me swallow hard without thinking.
……Books can shatter like that?
I’d noticed before, but pissed-off Ashy was terrifying. She had this vibe like she’d charge in without a second thought and rip them apart!
“Uh, y’know… calling me cute, talking about hunting me down, seducing me, that kinda shit.”
“……”
Ashy’s eyes darkened.
Her already dark irises turning pitch-black made it even scarier.
But separately, she calmly shoved the ruined book into the nearby trash.
I straightened up instinctively under her gaze.
“Appearance.”
“Didn’t look closely—didn’t care.”
“Really? Anything else?”
“Only that they were girls. We’ll see later, I guess. Doubt I’ll recognize them.”
With every word, her stiff expression softened, her eyes turning gentle again.
Anger… gone?
From where?
……Better than her being mad, at least.
Thank god the scary side didn’t last long.
Ashy mad was frightening, but more than that, I didn’t wanna see a friend pissed.
“Tell me who they are later so I can yank their hair out. Don’t bother remembering details.”
“Uh, sure.”
“Shall we head out? No point being late.”
“You’re not competing, though?”
“Obviously to cheer for you, Eugene.”
Standing, she rummaged under the desk.
“Huh? Where’d I put it?”
……Clean up once in a while. After digging forever—not in the desk drawer, but another box—she found it.
What the hell was that?
Uh…… cheer uniform? Like, a cheerleader outfit?!
“I’ll dance in this!”
“No need!!”
We’ll get reported!
The continent was vast, home to countless academies, many dubbed “prestigious” in their own right.
None could rival Sky Academy, which claimed an entire floating Sky Island, but they boasted noble heirs and names that rang bells everywhere.
Among them, Mogas—a third-year rep from Malzaha Academy, here for the club showdown—placed a hand over his heart.
“Whew. Feels like there’s no air.”
The expressionless girl fiddling with her new magic artifact beside him replied.
“Just your imagination. How else would knights train up here with thin air?”
“Ground feels cramped too.”
“It is.”
“My feet feel like they’re floating, not on solid earth.”
“That’s your acrophobia. Why’d you come if you’re scared of heights?”
“……”
Mogas glared at her—she wasn’t taking his side, just dropping truth bombs.
“You with me or them?”
“The stronger side.”
“Can’t I just grab that bun on your head once? Huh?”
“It’s not a bun, it’s a poop tail.”
“Same difference!”
“Poop tail sounds cuter.”
Ignoring him completely, she inspected the artifact. Her dead-fish eyes finally lit up.
“This…… a first-year made it? Fascinating. Superb. Way better finished than those idiot seniors’ crap in our club.”
“Hey. We were talking.”
“Really fascinating. Not some lucky fluke from a talented airhead. This is the result of real effort and research……”
“Excuse me?”
She’d been chatting with him moments ago, but now she was lost in her own world.
Her emotionless eyes held only the artifact.
……Sigh.
Mogas sighed inwardly.
Kamel Riglion. Born to a noble merchant family, she had unmatched talent for crafting magic artifacts.
Not just talent—she could hyperfocus on what she loved, tuning out everything else.
That’s why she’d zone out mid-convo, ignoring people.
Led to her personality. No friends, no close ones……
Except the fool stuck to her.
That was him.
Why? Don’t ask. Those in the know get it.
“Where’d you get this? Gotta meet the maker……”
“No. Hey. Wait!”
He grabbed her shoulder as she turned to bolt.
Running off was too much!
“You’re not going to find them now, are you?”
“Yeah.”
“No! Club showdown’s starting. You can’t bail! It’d tarnish the academy’s rep!”
“Don’t care. Only came ‘cause they offered a scholarship.”
“……”
Most students applied themselves. Not her.
The academy had begged her to enroll!
Free ride through third year. She could graduate early from fifth, no problem.
“And don’t touch my shoulder.”
Smack.
Kamel coldly brushed off his hand.
Meeting her icy, indifferent eyes, hurt welled up, but he forced a smile.
“……Sorry. Won’t touch.”
“Okay.”
He’d latched onto her first anyway.
Kamel only cared about magic, artifacts, and their makers. Human relations? Zero interest.
Conversations started with him prompting her.
He’d pushed past that to get somewhat close…… but no physical contact allowed.
At least she doesn’t slap me.
Anyone else would’ve gotten decked in the jaw.
……Disgusting.
Kamel couldn’t focus on the artifact anymore.
Instead, she stared at the spot he’d touched.
It burned where his skin had met hers. Like something sticky clung to it. She wanted to scrub it raw—or rip the flesh off. The mere fact of contact with another human filled her with revulsion.
She didn’t hate Mogas. He was kind enough to endure her shitty personality.
But before that…… humans touching her skin? Pure disgust.
Ugh……
She pulled a mask from her pocket, covering her face. Mogas turned away with a “not this again” look.
She hadn’t told him about her human phobia bordering on hatred.
No reason to. He was just a “conversation partner”—nothing more, nothing less.
Gonna puke……
As she stepped back, Mogas—matching her pace—stopped too.
“Hey. You’re not ditching, right?”
“No. Just hitting the bathroom. Go ahead.”
“I’ll wait up front……”
“Just go. I know the way.”
“……Fine.”
Why keep asking?
Why did he look hurt?
She’d warned him from the start: don’t approach, don’t get offended.
No time to dwell anyway. Nausea rising, she hurried to the nearest restroom.
Thud!
Too distracted?
She’d normally dodge, but she collided with someone.
She was sturdy enough not to budge usually, but this person—high knight level?—sent her reeling.
“!”
Already tense, the contact froze her solid.
Her legs buckled; she collapsed.
She felt eyes on her. Her pale skin went ghostly white.
G-Gotta…… get up……
But her legs wouldn’t move.
Even normally, scrutiny was hard to bear. Now, sick? She might puke or pass out.
Her face drained further.
Flutter.
Something rustled, blocking the stares.
Someone’s clothes shielding her?
Whoever it was had great instincts.
The one I bumped into……?
Should thank them……
Couldn’t lift her head.
No—couldn’t. Eye contact, or even their voice, might shatter her mind now.
“Excuse me. You okay?”
Huh?
“……?”
M-Mommy?
N-No, not that.
Normally, a voice alone would disgust her, churn her gut.
But now? Fine. Comforting, even.
Maybe…… try listening?
For some reason, she could look up.
Slowly, she raised her head. Met piercing red eyes staring down.
Ah.
A person. But none of the usual revulsion, disgust.
The opposite. Warmth, coziness…… an aura that knew her pain, could soothe it.
M-Mommy?
“Excuse me. You okay?”
Eugene said.
He’d shielded her with his robe and slipped in a bit of Divine Power since she’d collapsed pale and sickly……
But why’d she fall? The bump felt like hitting a rock.
What’s this? Fake fall for cash?
Saw that in my past life?
Someone dives in front of a car, then sues?
This it?
As Eugene dithered, Kamel blurted without thinking.
“Um……”
“?”
“C-Can I…… call you Mommy?”
“???”
……The fuck?