Chapter 597 - In the Special Seating
"Whoa, what a roar from the crowd. It really sounds different from up on stage compared to out here."
"That's 'cause they muffle the volume inside."
"There's that, but don't you also stop hearing the sounds around you when you're focused on what's in front of you?"
"Is that… how it works?"
"Heck if I know. We're not exactly warriors on that level."
"Goldow would know, right?"
"Hmm…"
"Eh, you're gonna tilt your head at that? Are you all trying to gang up on me and make me out to be some kind of freak?"
"Nah, I was just thinkin' there's no way you'd stop hearin' things entirely."
"Seriously…? I thought pretty much all the rankers were like that."
"...Like who, for instance?"
"Umm… Irori, Gen-san, Tora-kichi—"
"Tora… kichi…?"
"See, that's what I'm talking about. They're all battle junkies."
"I think Rinne might be that type, too. Surprisingly, out of the three disciples of the Tiger, I feel like she's the one who's most likely to 'lose sight of her surroundings when she concentrates.'"
"Three disciples of the Tiger…?"
"I don't know if you're mistaken or what, Onii-san, but Rin-chan isn't Tiger's disciple. It's 'Tiger's disciples plus one cute girl.' That's the correct way to put it."
"Well, she certainly has that tendency. Tiger's sharp for a guy like him, and his disciple inherited that trait, so he's clever too."
"Right? For a tiger, he's—speaking of which, Irori's sword… it's broken, isn't it? It feels weird for me, the culprit, to say this, but is he going to be okay? Can he even have a proper match?"
"He'll be fine, won't he? Irorin doesn't use the 'blade' when he's fighting a girl anyway."
"Even if the blade is broken, he should be able to produce ice without any issue."
"He doesn't use the blade against girls? Is there a reason for that?"
"He's just trying to look cool."
"Playing it safe."
"It's just like that time with Ui-chan, right?"
"His Anima is tough, but the way people talk about him… I see. So this is how it plays out."
"Hinayo's anti-melee approach splits into two distinct patterns depending on how the initial engagement goes."
"If she can weather the first approach and set the pace, it becomes this favorable pattern."
"...I had a feeling this might happen, but her battery is running a bit low after her fight with you, Onii-san. She's probably concentrating, but her form is a total mess."
"Well, after goin' all out like that, even she's bound to be exhausted. Not to mention she went out of her way to turn off the default duel system. This is what the selection matches are all about."
"Four Pillar War knockout-style."
"Must be tough for the frontliners."
"And this time, it looks like you defenders are in for a rough ride, too."
"And that's because of you, Onii-san, isn't it?! You've just gone and endlessly boosted everyone's motivation, you really have!"
"Nine times out of ten, they'll probably abandon the 'Pillars' and come at us with a full party… Man, this year's war is gonna be a blast, huh? Can't wait."
"…I'm terrified. I wish we had Sora-chan."
"Yeah, well, she's fundamentally not good at PvP. So if you could spare her, that'd be great."
"Well, can't force her. In fact, even we rankers aren't required to participate. Same goes for Ui, but draggin' someone onto a battlefield they don't want to be on is a no-go."
"Honestly, if Sora-chan participated, it feels like it would break the balance, so maybe it's for the best? I mean, we do have one person here who's breaking the balance in all sorts of ways, though."
"Says the 'Ultimate Weapon Against the Princess'… —No, I really can't see anything. What is this? I get why people would complain now. I'm convinced."
"Well, that's what happens when 'fire' and 'ice' clash at full power."
"The funny thing is, despite all this, neither of them is a mage."
"For real… I guess you could say Hinayo is half a mage, but what the hell is up with Irori? Actually, not Irori, but his sword. Thinking about it calmly, that Shirosou is seriously broken. That's not the kind of phenomenon—or magic—that should be possible with a weapon's ability."
"The single-digit rankers for Anima aren't just for show."
"Sixth in the armor category, huh… When I first saw that, I thought it was some kind of joke, but when you include its freezing ability, its defensive performance in a broad sense is just insane…"
"By the way, Onii-san, were you aware that Sora-chan's [Cradle of Sword-Craft] was recently ranked third in the weapon category?"
"Huh?! For real?!"
"What's so surprisin' about that? It's a fitting rank, if you ask me. That thing is a true monster of an Anima. It's obvious it'll hit number one once its tier increases."
"Yeah, I get that, but I'm surprised it's rated that highly by the public… By the way, is my Stella on the list by any chance?"
"Hm, I don't know."
"…I don't recall it."
"You don't really use your Anima flamboyantly in public, do you? You already have so many tricks up your sleeve that people's attention is divided. It's probably hard for the public to evaluate it."
"I-Is that so… I'm sorry, partner."
"Anyway, looks like this is about to wrap up."
"She's clearly being pushed back."
"Yeah. The difference in their condition is finally showing."
"Haha, I can't treat this like it's someone else's problem. Facing Hinayo with dulled concentration is a death sentence."
"She's also steadily starting to overcome her weaknesses."
"That's why she's participating in the frontliners' selection match, after all."
"That and the overwhelming demand from her fans."
"If you're going to say that, you two are in high demand as well, you know?"
"Even if we participated, all we could do is steamroll everyone, you know?"
"Why are you assuming you'd enter as a pair?"
"Conversely, is there any option other than entering as a pair?"
"Uh, sorry."
"Neither Mi-na nor I can fight alone."
"I apologize."
"…And, it's over. Next up is Hinayo versus Genkotsu."
"Too bad, Irorin. But all in all, he did a great job, didn't he?"
"This one's looking down from a ridiculously high horse…"
"Because I actually am his senior!"
"Even though he's surpassed you in the rankings."
"I have a better battle record against him!"
"In a two-on-one, that is."
"The whole thing felt like a duel between mages. It was interesting, though… Well, the finals should be starting after a short break, right? I've got something to take care of, so if you'll excuse me."
"Sure. You comin' back to watch?"
"Of course. I'll bring one other person along if they can make it."
"—! Is! It! Okay! To! Get! My! Hopes! Up?!"
"Whoa, you're loud. How attached are you? Do you love me or something?"
"Hey, Number Four. After the finals are over is fine. Keep some time free."
"Okay, roger that. Well then, I'll be taking my leave for now."
A few seconds after the young man waved his hand and left his seat via teleportation.
"Huh? Did he just make plans and exchange friend codes as if it were the most natural thing in the world?"
"Well, it's for contact purposes, probably. I can pretty much guess what he needs, too."
"Are you two friends?"
"We just met. Who's friends with him? Don't say such ridiculous things."
The one who had remained silent the entire time didn't bother to hide his annoyed reaction as the other three began to pester him at the first opportunity. As if his business was done, he quickly vanished via teleportation.
A lively and friendly spectator section. And Irori-kun, who burned out in two senses of the word.