Chapter 432 - A Fortunate Invitation to a Friendly Match
The more earnestly you live each day, the faster time seems to fly.
Valuable time can’t be wasted, and the more I think about it, the more I believe that.
Since the reopening of the Academy, we’ve been practicing from early morning until night every day after school.
I was worried there might be some complaints from the parents of these wealthy students, but thanks to the many alumnae of the Magic Doll Club, it seems we’ve not only avoided complaints but are even being supported.
Apparently, the mothers have started to form their own networks.
Especially when the mothers from high-ranking families take the lead in cheering us on, those with lower status have no choice but to follow. Some might find it a nuisance, but it’s very helpful for our club.
I had every intention of ignoring any complaints from the beginning, but it’s even better that there are none. This way, as the advisor, I don’t have to waste time or energy on unnecessary issues. Thanks to this, the students can focus on their practice, and I can concentrate on teaching.
On the first day back, I set the club’s goals, which boosted my own motivation.
The next day, I even used my connections to place an order for new training equipment.
The Headmistress had tasked me with reviving the Magic Doll Club. Being strong only during my short tenure wouldn’t suffice; the environment needed to stay strong even after I left. One of my strategies was to provide the club with usable training equipment.
The custom-made training equipment was completed just two days after I pushed for it, and I had five beginner sets delivered ahead of time.
That’s the privilege of having connections with the Magic Item Guild. If something works, I’ll use it to the fullest.
“Excuse me, Sensei. I can’t figure out number five.”
“Where’s number four?”
“Here.”
“Hmm, you got it right. Number five is a bit trickier, so it’s okay if you don’t get it right away. But if you can identify up to number four, you should be able to find number five if you keep trying. Don’t give up; everyone else is doing the same thing. Think of it as a challenge: you can’t go home until you find the fifth mana stone.”
“Yes, Sensei!”
The beginners were immediately using the new equipment for their practice.
They held large, recorder-like cylinders, roughly twice the size of a regular recorder, and were focusing on sensing mana.
Mana sensing is the foundation of everything. Without the ability to finely detect mana, advanced magic is impossible. It’s the most basic of basics.
The cylinders are made from the same materials as the Magic Dolls and contain sand made of the same materials. When you infuse the cylinder with mana, the mana quickly permeates both the cylinder and the sand.
Anyone can easily fill the cylinder with mana, but the purpose of this training is to find the mana stones mixed in with the sand. The goal is to develop mana sensing skills by locating the stones.
When the cylinder is filled with mana, the stones also become infused with mana, emitting a distinct mana signature that’s different from the cylinder and the sand. The students must use mana sensing to locate these stones and then infuse only the target stones with mana as part of their mana control training.
The mana can be dispersed with a simple switch, making this a very convenient tool. I’m very proud of my invention, though I have to admit that about eighty percent of the credit goes to the craftsmen at the Magic Item Guild.
Each cylinder contains twelve mana stones, ranging in size from the tip of a thumb to the smallest, which is microscopic. The largest stone is numbered one, and the smallest is twelve. Finding the twelfth stone is practically impossible for anyone who isn’t a prodigy.
The actual goal is to detect the tenth stone, which is about the size of a grain of sand. While it’s small, it’s still visible to the naked eye, and sensing it alone isn’t overly difficult. However, distinguishing it from the mana-infused cylinder and sand is more challenging. The cylinder’s interior has small cavities, so shaking it can cause the stones to move, sometimes hiding smaller stones behind larger ones. Consistent practice is necessary to reliably identify the target stones.
If you provide a focused environment for practice, people’s abilities will inevitably improve.
The club’s atmosphere, with all members taking their training seriously, is extremely conducive to growth.
We set small goals every day and strive to clear them. Even if there are setbacks, the students will likely have experienced significant growth by then. Beginners, in particular, show rapid improvement.
After a few days of relentless foundational training, the explanation meeting for the Magic Doll Federation arrived. I sent the club president and vice president to attend and continued to focus on basic training during their absence.
Monotonous repetition of basics can be boring if their importance isn’t fully understood. Not all fifty or so members have reached that level of understanding, and some are bound to get bored. However, if they realize their own immaturity and can feel their skills improving through practice, they’ll stay focused. Even those who are just going with the flow will eventually understand the significance and benefits of the training.
The club’s restart has been smooth and is showing very positive trends so far.
The days filled with relentless foundational training are finally coming to an end. Once the rules for the Magic Doll matches are finalized, we’ll need to incorporate practical combat training.
While we’ll continue daily foundational training, we can move beyond just that. The excitement of the club members is clear and amusing. Such innocent kids.
“...But I wonder what kind of trouble we’ll face.”
The significant rule changes for the Magic Doll battles were announced abruptly, with no room for objections.
I didn’t bother remembering the official reasons for the changes. They were flimsy and not worth remembering.
The real reason, I suspect, is the potential for profit from the military applications of Magic Dolls. Although those profits were squashed, the rule changes have likely increased the overall revenue. With the competition moving from small indoor venues to outdoor military training grounds, it’s easier to attract audiences and generate income. Doubling the number of Magic Dolls allowed in a match would also increase ticket sales. Even without the military profits, the overall revenue has likely grown.
Another reason for the rule changes might be the consolidation of the Magic Doll Federation as an organization.
Most Federation staff are current or former Magic Doll Club advisors. Being a Federation member means having a hand in creating the rules and being in a position to benefit from the associated profits.
Being part of the rule-making process is a powerful position, offering the fastest access to information. For a club advisor genuinely aiming for victory, the Federation’s position is incredibly advantageous.
Of course, I want to be part of it and will do what I can to ensure the next advisor has a chance as well.
Based on my research, to become a Federation staff member, you need a track record in the Magic Doll Tournament and contributions to the community.
The track record involves achieving good results in the tournament, which is a clear and fair criterion.
‘Contributions’ are a bit more ambiguous. Generally, it refers to volunteer activities that promote Magic Dolls, such as creating opportunities for children to interact with them or organizing local tournaments.
These are the official requirements for becoming a Federation staff member.
However, there are cases where advisors with little or no track record are still part of the Federation. Investigating these cases reveals the underlying reasons.
Predictably, it involves corruption and bribery.
Honesty is just a surface-level pretense; the powerful don’t truly care about it.
However, a small payment isn’t enough to secure a good position. The fewer people involved in the profit-sharing, the better. More people mean smaller shares for each.
Yet, a certain number of people are necessary to ensure the Federation functions. Once in a position of power, few are willing to give it up.
New advisors rarely make a significant impact quickly, and without exceptional contributions, there’s no reason to replace or add staff. This stasis leads to corruption.
The Magic Doll Federation, nominally a non-profit organization, has become a group unwilling to let go of its profits.
Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy and I, appearing like a comet, must have been seen as a threat to this corrupt system.
Especially since Saint Emeralda is attended by daughters of influential families, any staff from this school would quickly gain significant influence within the Federation.
Historically, a former advisor from Saint Emeralda held considerable power within the Federation. Those who remember this era likely don’t want a resurgence and would actively work to prevent it.
If their position is threatened, it’s natural to nip that threat in the bud.
Using their rule-making authority to gain an advantage, or more directly, to put Saint Emeralda at a disadvantage and exclude us, is a plausible scenario.
We must expect some form of harassment. Given my role in dismantling the Federation’s profit schemes, I’ve likely earned their resentment.
The president and vice president were supposed to attend the Federation’s explanation meeting to learn about the rule changes and the magic items used in the matches.
The rules are crucial. Violations lead to disqualification, and thorough preparation is necessary to win. Even minor changes require careful attention.
While mulling over these thoughts and overseeing the students’ practice, the door to the club room opened unexpectedly.
Initially, I thought the president and vice president were back early, but the person who entered was unexpected: a thin, Zamas-style woman.
“Headmistress? What brings you here?”
The Headmistress had expressed a desire to revive the Magic Doll Club. Perhaps she wanted to see the club’s progress with her own eyes.
The students, engrossed in their practice, didn’t stop when an unexpected guest appeared, though they seemed curious.
I approached the Headmistress, who seemed a bit hesitant, and invited her in. Whatever her reason for visiting, it was an opportunity to see our progress.
I guided her to a chair against the wall and sat down beside her.
“I’ve heard about your club, but this is truly impressive. It’s like watching a knight’s training.”
“They’re really putting in the effort. But I suspect this is the norm for any school’s Magic Doll Club. Anyway, what brings you here? It’s unusual for you to visit the club building.”
“Actually, I have something to tell you.”
The Headmistress’s smile suggested that this wasn’t a troublesome matter. I felt a slight sense of relief as I asked for details.
“Have you heard of the eastern neighboring country, Solonton?”
“I know the name. I’ve never been there, but what’s the point?”
It was abrupt.
Solonton is a neighboring country that can be reached from Beltoria without much difficulty. While it’s technically independent, it’s more of a vassal state to Berliza. If the roads aren’t congested, a carriage could reach the capital in half a day. Culturally, it’s similar to Berliza, with no other standout features.
“Solonton has a sister school to ours. The headmistress there is an old friend, and she’s invited us to a practice match for Magic Doll battles.”
Magic Doll battles are popular in the northern continent, so it’s not surprising that they are also prevalent in a neighboring country. Given the Headmistress’s connections, there was no reason to be wary of the invitation.
“I see, a sister school. Are invitations from neighboring countries common?”
“Exchange programs are regular, but club-level invitations are rare. This time, they’re looking to exchange ideas and practice matches regarding the recent rule changes.”
“So, that’s the main reason. The ridiculous rule changes have affected other countries, not just Berliza, huh?”
“While the specifics may vary by country, the broad rules of Magic Doll battles have generally been aligned. These major changes were likely discussed beforehand.”
I see, so it wasn’t a unilateral decision.
“Solonton Royal Academy is known for its strong Magic Doll Club. I think they would make excellent practice partners, so I hope you’ll accept the invitation. Here are the proposed dates. This is a formal school exchange, so even a mid-week trip is acceptable.”
I took the folded paper and quickly scanned it. The number of proposed dates was surprisingly high, making it easy to fit into our club’s schedule.
“Understood. Since the president and vice president aren’t here today, I’ll consult with them tomorrow and let you know once we’ve decided. Is that alright?”
“That’s fine. Would you like to stay and observe for a bit?”
“Sure, do as you please.”
The young energy of the practice session was clearly engaging for the Headmistress. The students, aware of the top of the school’s presence, were even more focused, their magic dolls moving with an added intensity.
Observing practice in a different environment or with different observers is a valuable experience. I plan to create more such opportunities, which will likely strengthen the students mentally.
This practice match in a neighboring country, even a short trip, sounds promising and exciting.
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This chapter was a bridge, reflecting on past events related to the Magic Doll Federation and setting the stage for what’s to come.
It turned out to be quite long, but I wanted to revisit the club’s background and context, as it’s been a while in real time since the last update.
During the practice match, I’ll take a broader look at the match rules again. I’m eager to move forward smoothly.
The next chapter, 'Unnecessary Worries,' will follow.