Plan of the Magic Faculty. Plan of the Magic Faculty. Plan of the Magic...
Plan of the Magic Faculty. Plan of the Magic Faculty. Plan of the Magic...
"All flash, no substance..."
In a waiting room on the 13th floor of the Magic Tower, a knight cadet was voicing his irritation.
It was an exquisite height—soaring far above the ground, yet not quite touching the clouds.
From the plush chairs to the antique ornaments, the Magic Tower's waiting room was decked out in finery.
"Robes, hats, staves... Mages get called out for having no substance precisely because they only care about these outward things."
It was the sort of remark Plan would have praised as correct, had he heard it.
This time, another knight cadet spoke up.
"If we go out of our way to deal with them, there should at least be something in it for us. Instead, all we get is a reputation among the rest for having scored easy wins."
"Let them hear that all they want. I just wish they'd forfeit. Why struggle so desperately when the outcome is already plain as day..."
The denunciations of the Magic Department went on and on.
"No, wait. Now that I think about it, they shouldn't forfeit. They need to get beaten to death in the arena. Did you see what that squad leader bastard went around saying?"
From there, the conversation narrowed onto one person. The subject was, naturally, Plan of the Magic Department.
The air grew hot, as if a fire had broken out.
"When I saw him, I doubted my eyes. He said clearing the Subjugation Festival preliminaries was a given, and he'd even secure victory in the whole thing."
"That too. But mentioning the Knight of Embers was the real insanity. Who the hell talks like that?"
"He's a mage, they say. Since we've never actually seen him... he has no clue. No idea how distinguished she is."
While the talk about Plan continued, one knight cadet suddenly asked Ela.
"Ela. What do you think?"
"About what."
"That guy we're talking about. Plan."
Plan.
What did she think? The answer needed no deliberation.
"...A crazy son of a bitch."
Ela gripped her scabbard tightly.
"Beating is medicine for a mad dog, and the sword must be medicine for a mad mage."
Even after that, the disparagement of Plan and mages continued without end, until a female knight suddenly spoke up.
"You are all far too relaxed."
"...?"
The heated waiting room went cold. In the instantly frozen atmosphere, all eyes turned to a single person.
Golden hair and golden eyes.
The Flash Knight, Ivan Rose.
Amid the silence, she continued.
"They are not fools. You will lose if you are not careful."
Hah. Ela let out a scoff. She was utterly dumbfounded.
Gripping her scabbard, Ela used the pommel of her sword to shove Ivan's chin up. Hard. Enough force as if to snap her neck clean off.
"Lose... like you?"
"...!"
Sneers spread across the faces of the other knights, but Ivan held her composure to the very end.
"Ivan. My Inherent Ability is different from trash like you... It's not something a mage can ever imitate. Got it?"
"Imitation aside, I am telling you to give it your all."
"I'll handle it myself."
"Even so, you mustn't let your guard down..."
Ivan began to elaborate further but let out a deep sigh. No matter how she explained it, she knew they would not understand each other.
They wouldn't believe it until they saw it firsthand. And because she was a second-year, they paid no heed to Ivan's words to begin with.
In the end, Ivan let out a deep sigh.
"Just do as you please. But I have clearly warned you."
"...Found another one. A crazy son of a bitch."
The moment Ela laid her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Stop."
The heads of the knights all turned simultaneously toward the entrance of the waiting room.
And upon confirming the owner of that voice, everyone hurriedly straightened their postures. Ela too relaxed her grip on her sword, her expression sour.
"Your enemy today is the mages. Not each other."
"...Yes."
A figure comparable to a professor in the Magic Department. The regular knight Alex surveyed everyone before opening his mouth.
"The Knight Department suffered an embarrassing defeat in the first event."
At those words, Ivan bowed her head deeply. But the other knights instead straightened their necks stiffly.
"Yes. That is correct."
Alex continued, his voice edged with anger.
"When the Magic Department won the first event... do you dare to guess how disheartened the noble knights were?"
The other knights finally bowed their heads as well.
But their eyes darted sideways to glance at Ivan. It was because of you that we have to hear this— their expressions said.
"The buoyant mood of the Magic Department ends today. If a situation similar to last time occurs... no one will forgive you."
Alex's voice was heavy with sincerity, and several listening knight cadets swallowed hard.
"An ordinary victory will not do. So that they can never again spout such nonsense in the papers... we must trample them completely. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"We move out now. To the conference room."
Alex took the lead, and the cadets followed behind him.
◈
Press conference room.
Alex gazed silently at Conet, the Head of the Magic Department, who sat across from him.
'Head of the Magic Department, huh...'
Hair white on the outside, black on the inside. And that peculiar Reverse Eye to top it off. She was a mage with many unusual quirks.
The Knight of Embers, Lady Scarlett, had once mentioned to be wary of this woman...
'The Knight of Embers was simply being far too modest.'
To Alex, Conet did not seem particularly impressive.
Even if she were excellent as a mage, her caliber as a head of department was a separate matter to be judged.
Alex surveyed the Magic Department's side of the room.
Centered around Head Conet, a secretary sat beside her, with roughly three professors seated to the right. The seats were all filled, save for the four student representatives.
As he watched them, he suddenly felt a pang of incongruity.
'What is this?'
Had they unearthed some source of confidence?
Usually, on days when joint meetings between the two departments occurred, the mages could barely hold their heads up. It had always been that way.
But.
The attitude of those before his eyes had noticeably changed. Though a hint of tension was present, he could feel that they were steadfastly trying to stand their ground.
'If anything, it's fortunate Lady Scarlett did not come today.'
Had she witnessed these faces firsthand... she might have outright burned the entire Magic Tower down.
Alex did not find their demeanor pleasant either.
"Oh dear, it seems our student representatives are running a bit late."
It was Conet who broke the silence first. Alex, for now, turned his head toward Eliza.
Eliza shook her head from side to side. This meant the current conversation was not being recorded.
Only then did Alex open his mouth.
"I understand the delay. They are at an age where they fear defeat."
Conet responded with a smile.
"Oh my, could the Knight of Embers also be... not attending for similar reasons? I had no idea."
"...!"
Alex's expression visibly hardened.
It was true that Scarlett had not even attended today's press conference.
"Head of the Magic Department?"
"Yes. I'm listening."
"The Knight of Embers is not someone with idly abundant free time. However, I will certainly relay her opinion."
At those words, Conet's secretary gave a slight flinch.
It was an incredibly rude remark. In other words, was he implying Conet was sitting here because she had idly abundant free time?
"What..."
Professor Violet, beside her, also muttered under her breath.
Even allowing for the vast gulf between knights and mages, a mere regular knight speaking like this to a head of department was a clear breach of decorum.
However, Conet herself calmly parted her lips.
"Let's hear it. The opinion of the Knight of Embers, who has no idly abundant free time."
"If you suffer defeat in today's match as well, I would ask that the Magic Department refrain from even participating in the Subjugation Festival going forward."
"Hmm, what could you mean by that?"
In midair, Alex's eyes and Conet's Reverse Eye clashed.
"Hasn't a squad facing the Magic Department effectively been receiving a bye into the main tournament?"
Alex continued flatly.
"Cadets who wish for the Magic Department as their opponent will naturally appear, and this exerts a great negative influence on us. I detest the idea of producing knights who think of relying on luck."
Conet closed then opened her eyes. Very slowly.
"Whether it's a bye or not... we shall see, won't we?"
"I have already been watching for over ten years. Has the Head been deliberately ignoring this fact in the meantime?"
A chill silence descended.
The quiet standoff continued for a while, and only after a long time did the journalist Eliza break it.
"The time has arrived. Before we begin the press conference, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone gathered here today."
At Eliza's statement, Violet felt her heart sink.
...The Magic Department's student representatives, including Plan, had still not arrived at the conference room.
"Once the conference begins, all dialogue will be recorded and transmitted in real time. Please be absolutely sure to note this."
Simultaneously, the conference room walls entirely took on the appearance of white paper.
These were linked to the Record Scrolls posted throughout Märchen Academy, allowing students of both departments to check every word exchanged during the press conference in real time.
"Additionally, the press conference may be concluded early."
Eliza pointed to a red bell suspended from the ceiling. It was massive and ornately decorated.
"As notified in writing beforehand, the moment one side rings the bell, the conference will end immediately and proceed to the match."
It was a mechanism thoroughly designed for the dominant side.
Since swiftly ringing the bell to cut short a conference would also be recorded and transmitted, for those placed at a disadvantage, even ringing it was no easy choice.
"Now then, the roll call of both sides' representatives will begin. We will also begin the record."
The Magic Department Head's secretary pushed his glasses up. Sweat from his nerves kept making them slide down.
"Ela of the Knight Department."
"Yes."
Ela's demeanor was exceedingly relaxed.
Leader of the Knight Department's second-year Four Siblings. She possessed a characteristically formidable spirit.
"Perion of the Knight Department."
"Yes."
Eliza methodically called the names of the Knight Department's representatives, and there was no one who did not answer.
And finally.
"Plan of the Magic Department."
The moment his name was called.
For the first time, the response broke off, and a silence descended.
"Plan of the Magic Department?"
Eliza called his name once more.
The Magic Department's side maintained its silence. Tension rising from the floor slowly began to constrict them.
Meanwhile, the corners of the Knight Department's lips curved upward.
Plan, who had guaranteed victory, was absent. The very idea was a story that made their mouths water.
The Magic Department, giddy from winning a single first event. The arrogant remarks Plan had spouted during the solo interview...
Whenever they saw such things, they had wished for Plan's downfall.
"If the representative is not in the room at the point of the third and final call, it will be considered a non-attendance of the press conference."
Every single syllable Eliza uttered was crystal clear.
Ela did not hide her smile. Just as expected, this was what insolent mages always did.
A hopelessly weak breed that cries out for miracles it can never realize. That was mages.
"...Subsequently, the Magic Department will forfeit the match."
Violet stared at the entrance of the conference room.
The door still showed no sign of opening.
"Plan of the Magic Department."
At last, the third call had begun.
If Plan did not appear in this room by the time the remaining two calls were finished...
The victory the Magic Department had secured in the first event, the enthusiasm for the Subjugation Festival it had ignited, the effort expended to hold this press conference at the Magic Tower...
It would all turn to foam.
If they were broken here, they might never be able to stand up again.
"Plan of the Magic Department."
Violet's eyes moved busily.
Conet's thoughts were still unreadable, and the expressions of the secretary and professors were not much different from her own.
What bothered her most were the expressions of the Knight Department.
Suppressing laughter, or failing to suppress it and snickering, or even looking down on them as if they were insects.
There was no longer any mutual respect.
It must be because the Magic Department had never proven anything until now. That was a little bitter to swallow.
"Plan of the Magic Depart—"
The moment Eliza's final call was about to conclude.
THUD!
A heavy boom resounded through the conference room.
The door was suddenly ajar, and the orange light of the corridor spilled through the crack.
"...!"
Eliza's brow furrowed slightly.
Everyone in the conference room turned their gaze simultaneously toward the entrance. And they could immediately tell who had appeared.
After several calls, the one who finally arrived was the same as always.
Neat and composed as ever, standing under the light that fell like a halo.
"...Plan?"
Eliza belatedly finished her third call.
The Magic Department's representative. Plan slowly looked around.
The smiles that had been rampant on the faces of the Knight Department were already frozen solid.
"Yes."
Plan answered indifferently with a nod of his chin.
At that, the three other Magic Department representatives filed in behind him. They all quietly found their own seats and sat down.
At last, Plan also took a step.
"...I, Plan."
He parted his lips and called his own name.
And he began walking. Not to his seat, but toward the center of the conference room.
"Have come here as a mage."
It was too ambiguous to be a reply to a roll call, yet he didn't seek out his seat as if he had come for a conference.
Pride that would yield to no one, an attitude that in some eyes would seem maddeningly arrogant.
But precisely because of that, he had deliberately added that one sentence.
That single line: that he had come here as a mage.
Hah. Ela scoffed.
"You're late, and you're utterly shameless. Coming as a mage... what's that supposed to mean?"
"I had matters to settle."
The moment Plan gave another jerk of his chin.
"...?"
Ela doubted her Qi Sense.
Strong-willed auras, never in harmony, yet holding meaning only when gathered together. This was unmistakably the aura of the rest of the Four Siblings.
And her Qi Sense was spot on.
"Hey everyone~"
"Don't 'hey' me informally, moron."
Emerging from behind Plan were Ela's siblings. All of them took their seats in handcuffs.
Everyone's eyes turned to Plan. It was a situation utterly impossible to comprehend without an explanation.
"Ufufu..."
In the midst of it all, Conet failed to suppress a laugh that leaked out.
How fascinating. In this place where journalists, knights, heads of department, and professors of all ranks had convened, Plan was merely a student.
Yet despite that, the gravity of this room had already tilted toward him. That was far too interesting.
Plan opened his mouth again.
"Just before entering the conference room, I requested a special pardon for the Knight Department's Four Siblings."
"...!"
A special pardon.
Shock rippled across everyone's faces.
It was a statement no one had anticipated. As if time had stopped, everyone froze. Only the Record Scroll transcribed Plan's words.
It was Eliza who broke the silence.
"A special pardon... did you, specifically, Student Plan?"
The crimes of the Four Siblings—excluding Ela—were particularly heinous. It was bad enough they ganged up on people, but they had also persistently hunted down and beaten only mage students.
To request a special pardon for such people. Why.
"I figured if I disciplined them where everyone could see, the Magic Department's rage might subside a little. So I went out of my way."
At Plan's statement, the Knight Department's eyes grew wide.
Yet his words were not finished.
"Also, so I wouldn't have to hear some pathetic excuse later... about losing because three members were swapped out in a hurry."
Ela's head tilted to the side.
She was in utter disbelief.
It was an absurd claim, and an outrageous attitude. Plan had dared to assume victory against the Four Siblings.
The moment Plan finished speaking, a silence fell over the conference room. This time, even the journalist Eliza was too shocked to break it.
At last, the first to open her mouth was Ela.
"Why you arrogant son of a—"
But then.
GONG!
Plan struck the bell with Telekinesis. The massive red bell began to howl ferociously.
DONG─ DONG─ DONG─ DONG─
The Subjugation Festival preliminary round had begun.
Not even three minutes had passed since he had revealed himself.
"Whether it's a conference, a question, or a statement..."
After burying Ela's words entirely with the sound of the bell, Plan continued very slowly.
"Let's do it in the arena. With magic."