123 Episode 33 "Mastermind"

How long have you known it was me?

Ballen looks at us and says.

We both understood that fighting was inevitable. --That's why you want to solve your doubts in the meantime.

"When agents of the Russian Empire used 'Wingboards', I thought school officials were guiding them.... there's no way that agents from other countries can use that magic tool that's not on the market."

"I see. Well, is it natural to think someone taught you that?"

The man in front of you, Barren, must have taught the operatives how to use the Wingboard.

"But how does it connect to me? I didn't tell you anything."

"We should have considered whether the Wingboard could be used as an escape tool before we started the operation. In retrospect from the time the operative began to move, the consideration was probably completed before the start of the competition festival practice.... knowing how to use the 'Wingboard' from before practice only means that the person has actually touched the 'Wingboard' last year or year. You were among the candidates."

"Me?

"Although last year's magic competition festival was canceled, I was planning to hold it until just before. I should have practiced each competition.... that's when you had the chance to touch the Wingboard. You were a part of the drive race."

I can tell by looking up a little about the athletes at last year's sports festival.

Valen was to compete in a drive race.

"... I'm not the only one who touched Wingboard last year. How could you think it was me?"

The answer to that question is quite simple.

"That's simply because you're the one who's gonna do it the most."

Unlike our previous assumptions, there is no basis at all.

But this was my most confident guess.

I clearly decided that after listening to the student chairman, I would have come to a similar conclusion without listening to that story anyway.

"Kuhah...! That must be it."

Ballen laughs in a good mood.

"When we first met, I took down an operative who was supposed to be working with me to deceive me and the student council into getting them out."

"That's what happened. They pretended to knock him down and let him out the back door."

The failure to report that day's battle to the student council was deliberate, not because I had forgotten. This man is disguised as a proper character, but in fact, he calculated it from the beginning.

"What's the purpose?

"I don't have a stepsister to tell you."

I'll keep asking Barren.

"Does it have anything to do with the death of the former student chairman in the war?

"... shit, that son of a bitch. You're talking nonsense."

Valen slapped his tongue and turned his right hand toward us.

A flame swirls in its palm.

"Sorry, I don't want to talk anymore. I thought it was a bit depressing to be sniffed around.... dare you to be a body that can't walk at least."

Last night was a battle in the city, so this man must have been a bit of a pain in the ass.

The whirlwind flame in front of you is so large and caloric that it is unmatched last night.

Normally, it's magic that requires 30 seconds or more of preliminary motion. I was able to prepare it in an instant because this man was the wearer of the belt.

Fire is coming.

I... severed it.

Fired artillery cracks left and right, scattering to be fired.

"... ah?

"Sorry."

I say to Valen, who startles with his eyes open.

I might have done it in a flash, but I'm stronger than you.

◇

When Tweets and Ballen confronted each other.

Three boys and girls were on their way to school in a city where it was all night.

"Ah, um, Miss Elicia. Are you sure Tweets is acting alone?

Mise asks the girl next to her as she travels on a small run.

"I don't know. But he's just trying to make sure that's what he does."

"Well, of course, it's the kind of thing that's important to be alone, Tweet."

The person thinks it has improved little by little, but from the side, Tweets are still a problem type. Elisia and Mise have a vague understanding of the Tweet's past, so they must understand that it is a value stained by the environment in which they were born and raised. Gran was expecting something like that.

So Elisia, Mise, and Gran gathered behind closed doors with the Tweets and headed to school at night. The Tweets said they could rest today, but maybe they're doing something in private. Such suspicion begins.

"Nh...? Hey, there's someone in front of the school gate."

The tall Gran notices the figure as soon as possible.

When the Tweet told me that an agent had broken into the school, they revealed their vigilance. Especially last night, Elisia, who is actually fighting agents and thinkers from other countries, stands ready to pull out her sword at any time.

However, the identity of the person who was at the school gate...

"If you were watching on the Chairman's instructions... I didn't know you were coming."

It was a familiar girl student who murmured with a sigh.

Mira-san? Why are you here...?

Mira-opstein, leader of the Falcon Group.

She slowly opened her mouth to Mize's question.

"I'm sorry, but we can't go through here."

"I wonder... why?

I don't think we need to fight first.

Judging so, Elisia takes her hands off the sheath and asks questions.

"At the moment, Valen-Stillen and Tweet are in the middle of a duel to bet their right to participate in the war games. I have been instructed by the chairman to prevent such interference."

After an unexpected explanation, Elisia and the others rounded their eyes.

"... duel?

With a strange face, Gran answered the question.

"It's like I can't swallow the situation... but if something is happening at school right now, is that what you students know?

"No problem with that perception."

Mira promised.

So far, at least Tweets aren't fighting operatives for their lives. If you keep that fact secret, Mira doesn't feel backed up.

"Is that really just a duel?

Elisia asks with a sharp eye.

But Mira answered indifferently without moving.

"That's what the chairman told me. Valen's way of fighting is dangerous, so it's a precaution to keep you out of this."

Elicia thinks about how much she can take the word for it.

At least it looks like she's lying to Mira... but maybe she doesn't know the real situation either.

- Was the mastermind Valen?

Suppose that student chairman knew (...) everything from the beginning.

Barren was behind taking the operatives to school, and the Tweets came to the truth. As a result, they are now fighting in a hidden place... and the student chairman is somehow silent about it.

If that's the idea, then Tsuji suits me.

I doubt how far the chairman knew...

"... well, anyway, if the Tweets aren't in danger, that's fine."

It is also possible that Mira's remarks are true.

Assuming the worst case scenario, I was ready to fight anytime, but apparently it was a worrying situation.

"Don't worry, Tweet will return it safely. No matter how much of that rabid Valentine, junior student... it wouldn't be an excessive attack on a normal school student."

Mira said with a calm voice to reassure Elisia and the others.

But Elisia, who felt uncomfortable with the words, looked at her face. Soon afterwards, I understood that there was a conflict of awareness between Mira and themselves.

"You don't understand."

Elisia tells Mira that she looks strange.

"It's the other way around."