Chapter 60: The Real Deal is Starting~~~
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The Academy Battle Tournament, main event, third day. The Seventh Esper Academy was fighting admirably, holding fifth place overall. First place was the First Academy, second the Second, third the Fourth, and fourth the Third, with the Seventh in fifth. Fundamentally, the academy rankings favored the lower-numbered institutions. This was due to the order in which Japan had reclaimed them, meaning those with longer histories were ranked higher.
Consequently, the First and Second Academies were considered to be in a league of their own, and every year, one of them would contend for the championship of the Academy Battle Tournament. However, for the past two years, an unparalleled genius named Kenzaki Souji had emerged, leading to the First Academy’s reign.
Until today.
“We’re in fifth. If we score about a hundred more points, we can take first. You get it, right? We’ve been hiding our strength for this very moment. Well, to be frank, we really shone in the interpersonal combat. When it comes to the official competitions, that’s another story…”
Hayato scratched his cheek apologetically, a wry smile on his face. Indeed, just as he said, though the students of the Seventh Esper Academy had struggled valiantly, their results had been lackluster, and they hadn’t managed to climb the rankings.
It couldn’t be helped. The First and Second Academies boasted superior facilities and environments. Furthermore, their student populations were vastly larger than the Seventh’s, so it was inevitable that many talented individuals would congregate there.
Moreover, they had more students than the Seventh Esper Academy, and from that larger pool, representatives were chosen after an even more rigorous selection process, so their capabilities were high.
It wasn’t that the Seventh Esper Academy was weak, but the more meticulously selected First and Second Academies were truly in a class of their own.
“But today, we’re going to overturn all common sense! Thanks to a fortunate encounter, we’ve become stronger! I declare it now: we are, without a doubt, the strongest representative team in the history of the Seventh Esper Academy! We can win! We will absolutely take the championship!”
“YEAH!!!”
Everyone’s spirits united. They all nodded at Hayato’s impassioned words.
As they each boarded their prepared VR machines, just as Kazuma was about to step into his, Hayato called out to him.
“Kazuma-kun. This is pathetic for me to say as president, but if, by some chance, we lose, can I entrust things to you?”
“Of course. President, you and the others should stand tall and fight without any pressure. I’ll be right behind you.”
“Hehe, you’re truly a reliable junior. I’m the happiest student council president in Japan—no, in the world.”
Hayato had no lingering anxieties. He had done everything he could. He had put forth every possible effort. All that remained was to unleash it in the main event. The Hayato of the past would likely have been burdened by unnecessary thoughts, telling himself, “Because I’m the president…”
But this time was different. He didn’t need to feel any pressure. He didn’t need to overthink. Even if he were to fall without achieving a single thing, he had a reassuring junior to back him up.
Today, everyone would surely be astonished. Perhaps the world itself might be turned upside down. The existence known as Satsuki Kazuma was finally going to rampage in a public arena.
Hayato, who could easily imagine the developments to come, smiled with irrepressible joy and boarded his VR machine.
“(I’m sure you’ll far exceed my expectations, Kazuma-kun~)”
The world would come to know, in the truest sense, the name of that oddball, Satsuki Kazuma.
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The representative members from the First Esper Academy to the Eighth Esper Academy boarded their VR machines, and preparations for the Crown Battle were complete.
The Academy Battle Tournament was finally reaching its climax. The final event, and the most popular one, the Crown Battle, was about to begin.
This year, with the First Esper Academy aiming for their first-ever three-peat championship, the venue was buzzing with immense excitement. Of course, it was also being broadcast online, so it could be watched from each academy, on mobile devices, and on PCs.
Naturally, it was also drawing attention from overseas. However, the focus was not on the First Esper Academy’s potential three-peat, but on Satsuki Kazuma.
“Geez! Hurry up already! I finally get to see Kazuma in action!”
Alicia was watching the Academy Battle Tournament on a giant screen installed in her room. However, she was irritated that it hadn’t started yet, pouting with a displeased expression.
“Why do you think I’m staying up to watch this live?! Show Kazuma already!!!”
Currently, Alicia, at her home in America, was watching the live broadcast. Due to the time difference with Japan, it was late at night in America. Her anger was understandable, but of course, the Japanese broadcasters weren’t at fault.
In contrast, it was early morning in France. Though still sleepy, it wasn’t so bad that she couldn’t stay awake, so Charlotte was watching the Academy Battle Tournament on her tablet while lying in bed.
“Yaaawn… Ugh, I’m still sleepy~. There seems to be a little time until it starts, so maybe I’ll sleep a bit more.”
The unhealthy, slovenly Holy Maiden stifled a yawn, her eyes glued to the screen, tablet still in hand.
Of course, they weren’t the only ones paying attention to Kazuma. Numerous famous figures such as King Arthur from England, the Overlord from China, and the Sun King from Egypt were watching the screen, eager to catch a glimpse of Kazuma.
On the other side of the screen, at the venue, the emcees hosting the event were filling the time until the Crown Battle began.
“Well, everyone, the Academy Battle Tournament is finally reaching its climax! The final event is the Crown Battle, which you’ve all been waiting for! Which academy will take the championship this year?!”
“As expected, the one to watch is the First Academy, wouldn’t you say? They’re currently first overall and aiming for their first-ever three-peat. Their level of fighting spirit is on another level, isn’t it?”
“However, the Second Academy isn’t to be underestimated! They’re second overall, and if they can achieve significant results in the Crown Battle, an upset is certainly possible! Of course, the same can be said for the other academies too!”
“That’s right. A new rule has been added to the Crown Battle starting this year. How that will affect the outcome will also be something to watch.”
“Indeed! Starting this year, points will be awarded! Defeating a Crown gets twenty points, an Ace ten points, a Leader five points, and other players one point, with Dummies worth zero points. However, by defeating a greater number of players, additional points are awarded, making a sudden grand reversal possible! We might even see underdogs snatching victory by taking advantage of others’ conflicts~!”
And so, after conveniently finishing a clear explanation of the new rules, word came to the emcees that preparations for the Crown Battle were complete.
“Everyone! Thank you for your patience! It seems the preparations for the Crown Battle are complete! It’s finally starting! The Academy Battle Tournament’s final event, the Crown Battle!”
“Ahh, this is what I look forward to every year-end; I can hardly wait!”
“Alright then, everyone! Together now! 3, 2, 1! Start!!!”
Vwoom A monitor appeared in the middle of the venue, and the Crown Battle broadcast began.
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In the Crown Battle, the initial positions for each academy were random. They were arranged so that direct confrontations wouldn’t occur immediately, meaning there would be no instant eliminations.
Kazuma and the others from the Seventh Esper Academy were placed in a wasteland. Thirteen of them appeared in the center of the barren landscape and surveyed their surroundings.
“We’re completely visible to the enemy, aren’t we?”
“Well, it’s a wasteland. But we won’t encounter enemies right away. Alright then, let’s proceed according to plan.”
As decided from the start, they split into two groups of six, leaving Kazuma alone in the wasteland as the representative members disappeared to the left and right.
Kazuma, left all alone in the wasteland, muttered lonesomely that he wished he could have enjoyed a little more conversation.
“You could’ve stayed a little longer…”
Nevertheless, thanks to the newly added rule this time, the Seventh Esper Academy had a chance at the championship. Therefore, there was nothing wrong with moving quickly to earn points. The personal feelings of an individual like Kazuma were irrelevant.
“Oh well, whatever. For now, I’ll head to a skyscraper in the ruined area! Time for a strong-character-looking-down-from-above move!”
The saying “fools love high places” probably fit this man perfectly.
Kazuma began moving towards the ruined area. He looked up at the sky and waved. Since it was being broadcast live, he was being shown all over the country and the world.
Dressed in ninja attire with a hood covering everything but his eyes, Kazuma presented an outlandish figure: spears in both hands, four swords on his back, four katanas at his waist, and ten rings on his fingers.
Most of the spectators who saw this burst out laughing. Every few years, someone dressed as outlandishly as Kazuma would appear. They certainly had presence, but that was all. Usually, the punchline was that they’d be defeated quickly.
“Bwahahahaha! What’s with this guy! Is he kidding?”
“There he is, there he is. You get guys like this sometimes. His intention to get even a little famous is totally obvious.”
“Isn’t he embarrassed, I wonder?”
“How unpleasant. People like this probably don’t think about others, do they?”
“He’s probably trying to curry favor with the National Defense Force, even a little~”
“A ninja cosplay is way too old-fashioned, isn’t it? Well, maybe it’s good because it makes him stand out more?”
“The other students are taking this seriously, but does this guy think it’s a festival? He should just get beaten quickly.”
These were harsh words, but it was to be expected. Certainly, the Academy Battle Tournament was a kind of festive uproar. But that was for the spectators; for the participants, it was different. Just like Koshien, they were serious. It was by no means a game.
If someone wearing a ridiculous cosplay like Kazuma-san were to appear among them, it would naturally be unpleasant.
That said, not all spectators held ill feelings towards Kazuma-san. Some among them viewed him favorably, but they were a very small minority. If anything, more people were amused by Kazuma-san, who was a rather eccentric character.
“Man, it’s been a while since I’ve seen an interesting player like that.”
“There used to be, back in the day.”
“Well, they usually got taken out pretty quickly, though.”
“So nostalgic~”
Opinions were mixed, though leaning slightly towards negative, but Kazuma-san stood out, for better or worse.
And Honoka, Kazuma-san’s mother, who was watching the online broadcast, felt her cheek twitch. The moment she saw Kazuma-san in his ninja cosplay, she knew without a doubt it was her foolish son.
Actually, a little while ago, Kazuma-san had called her, and Honoka had been told something.
“Mom. Sorry, but I might cause you some trouble.”
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but cause as much trouble as you like. For me, who’s wiped your bottom countless times, it’s nothing new.”
“Mm, thanks. I love you, Maman.”
“Call me Okaasama!”
“Oka~y.”
“Don’t drag it out! Your reply should be ‘Yes’!”
“Yes! Well then, I’m off!”
“Take care!”
So, she had received this message from Kazuma-san beforehand. Honoka wondered, while watching TV with her children, if this was what he meant by causing trouble, but she had a feeling it was something different.
She suspected it was probably something even more idiotic and foolish. Like, for instance, grandly revealing that he was the Crimson Knight. That’s what Honoka imagined.
“Honestly…”
Honoka sighed in exasperation, but her expression was very gentle. With the compassionate smile of a mother thinking of her son, she gazed at Kazuma-san on the other side of the screen.
Kazuma-san, in the midst of the Crown Battle, was walking towards the ruined area. He hadn’t encountered any enemies yet, but if he moved areas, he would undoubtedly make contact.
To his enemies, Kazuma-san was easy prey. He possessed a Crown and was merely from the Support Course. He wore an outlandish outfit and flashy equipment, but frankly, he was nothing more than a target.
“(Hm… Multiple presences from ahead. Thanks to the high fidelity of this Virtual Space, people are easy to find. Four of them. Probably a standard dummy formation, or a four-person team including a Crown. First strike wins… No, should I go for ‘kill on sight’? If I want to liven things up, it’s gotta be a battle after making contact, right? Alright, the plan is set. I’ll take the first kill.)”
Kazuma-san, having sensed the enemy’s presence, walked slowly. His figure, walking towards the enemy’s direction, was in plain view of the audience.
If he continued on this path, Kazuma-san would clash with the party led by Isurugi Kanna from the Second Esper Academy. The audience hoped the first battle wouldn’t turn out to be terribly dull.
A clown would act like a clown and make the audience laugh, but Kazuma-san was an inhuman deviant wearing a clown’s guise. From this point on, the audience, Japan, and the world would come to know the deviant known as Satsuki Kazuma.