Festival Day One: Games and the Shadow Boss
Festival first day. Our booth, which had been bustling with people just moments ago, was now just kicking up dust. Occasionally one person would show up—that was it. It felt like an hour ago had been a dream.
"No one's coming."
"That's 'cause you chased 'em all away."
"Had to be done."
Given the nature of the Combat Intensive Club, anyone coming in with half-hearted resolve was bound to get hurt. It wasn't just training; they were meant to gain real experience too.
'And half of them were just here for your looks anyway. Gotta filter out the half-assed ones.'
Screening out the dawn birds and guy birds with zero resolve was the right call. This was club president duty, plain and simple.
"Well, at least we hit the minimum membership."
"True that."
And not just any members—these were all skilled ones. I hadn't targeted them specifically, but setting the bar high had led to this result.
"Feels like no one's coming now that Dorothy-senpai left."
"Well... the booth's our job anyway."
Oh, by the way, Dorothy had dipped out to enjoy the festival. So it was just me and Luel manning the booth. We'd been stuck there since morning.
"Wanna just close up for today?"
"Huh? That okay?"
"We've got the minimum already, so yeah."
I'd never planned on taking a ton of members anyway. Just the bare minimum who could actually hack it. Easier to run the club that way.
"I'm the president, so whatever. Alright, let's wrap it up and go have some fun."
I stood from the chair and started casually packing up, dropping the suggestion offhand. Luel's face went blank for a second at the suddenness.
"We're supposed to stick together, remember?"
"Oh. Right."
"Hurry up and let's go."
Luel flashed a soft smile and pitched in with the cleanup.
"Oh yeah, isn't there a demo show on day one?"
"Right! Wanna check it out?"
"Sounds good."
The three-day festival featured two demo shows total. Day one was clubs and research groups promoting themselves; day two was professors showing off. So today was student demos.
'Spending the day having fun ain't bad.'
No time for that starting tomorrow anyway. That was when the second boss showed up. Luel wouldn't get a break then, so I wanted her to relax today.
"Alright, let's finish quick and head out."
"Pfft, haha. Why you talkin' like an old man?"
"...Harsh."
The academy festival's main goal was promoting clubs, but not everyone was there for that. Festivals were mostly for folks who just wanted to have pure fun.
"Whoa... I've never had candy like this before."
"Yeah. Supposed to be popular, but they haven't sold out."
Luel popped the red candy into her mouth with a smile. She looked less like a hero and more like any ordinary girl her age.
"Wanna check that out too?"
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."
I trailed behind Luel as she bounced around excitedly. She hit every fun-looking spot she saw, and after over an hour, I was feeling wiped.
'Feels like I'm an uncle hanging out with his niece.'
My body wasn't tired at all, but mentally? Maybe 'cause my mental age wasn't a student's.
"Oh... magic bullet shooting gallery."
"Wanna try?"
"Sure?"
We'd stopped at a classic festival shooting game. Simple setup: shoot a set amount of mana to hit prizes.
"Oh, what a cute couple. Quite the handsome pair."
"Eh..."
"We're not a couple."
"Oh, my bad. Haha."
The bushy-bearded middle-aged guy gave a friendly grin and held out a bracelet.
"Wanna play?"
"Yes! We do."
"Put on the bracelet and hit the target. It'll adjust your output, so relax. Three shots."
Luel slipped on the bracelet and eyed the target. She was on the sword path now, but her magic talent was still top-tier—way above average.
Bang!!
Not my level, but this game should be...
"Huh!? It missed?"
"Haha! Close one. Two shots left—take it easy."
Bang!!!
Another thin burst of mana from Luel's finger. I thought it'd hit this time...
'Grazed it.'
Her aim was off—just a graze. At this rate, it'd be a waste of money with no prize.
I couldn't just watch my friend get fleeced.
"Stay calm and shoot."
"O-okay."
"Hold on."
I adjusted her rigid stance by hand. Instinct kicked in with the perfect form.
"Uh... is, is this right?"
"Yeah? Why?"
"N-no, nothing..."
Shoulders and arm straight, feet stable. Perfect. This had to hit.
"Shoot when I say."
I gave the final check and was about to signal—
Bang!!!!
".........Huh?"
"S-sorry. I fired on instinct. Got nervous."
"Nah, happens."
She didn't use magic much, so even with my help, some tension was natural.
"Too bad. That's three shots! Another round?"
The guy smirked like he'd won.
"Luel."
"Yeah?"
"What do you want?"
"...Huh?"
Me, Dante Vergilius. I didn't lose—not even at games.
"That one. The white bear plush."
"That? Got it."
I nodded and stared down the target.
"You too, huh?"
"Yep. Money here's fine."
Paid up and slipped on the bracelet. It regulated mana output—cheap, but functional for a game.
'Bear plush... 110 points?'
Out of 150 max. Trickier than it looked.
"Tougher than it seems. Even magic majors..."
Talent: Mana Affinity assists you.
My circles resonated, vision locking onto the target. The guy's chatter faded into nothing. Breath held, I focused on one spot. Needed 110. Five tens would do it.
Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!!
Three shots in rapid succession, no pause.
"Kid... even so, that's too sloppy..."
"110 points. Right?"
"Wha— it really is!?"
I smiled at his gaping face.
'Figured there was a disruption barrier on the target.'
Even good mages would miss. Hitting the 50-point zone was near impossible. But calculate the disruption pattern and adjust—easy.
"H-how'd you do that?"
"I'm top of the magic department, y'know."
"......Ugh. Reminds me of that girl earlier. She said she was top too."
"Ah."
Dorothy-senpai must've come by. She'd have wrecked it mercilessly.
'The target next to it is shredded.'
I'd focused on score; she'd just destroyed it. No way she used mana resonance for a game... right? Nah, she wouldn't be that reckless.
...Probably.
"Luel. Your bear plush."
"Thanks..."
Luel curved her lips at me—not her usual grin, but a softer, happier one with narrowed eyes.
Yeah. As a possessor, I didn't care much for game clears. But gifting a hard-working protagonist a plush? Easy.
"See ya later, mister."
"...Pass."
I waved to his pouty face and strolled on.
"Alright, demo show time!"
"Already?"
"Yeah! Probably started. That'll wrap up the festival perfect."
Yeah. Nailing that made for a successful day one. Light-hearted, we headed to the auditorium.
Five minutes in, I was cursing inwardly.
"Dante... what the hell is that...?"
"Ah, fuck. What is this..."
My curse triggered a horrific noise around us. The auditorium dimmed into ominous darkness.
'...Just got here and the place is already gone. Indoor paradise from the game?'
The demo hall could hold the whole academy. But now, something else was there.
Floating in the air. A grotesque figure with a twisted mask over half its face. Just looking instilled terror...
Diabol Fantasy: Academy Edition. Act 2's final boss.
The Intangible One.
The guy I was sure would show tomorrow.