kscans

Chapter 597 - In the Special Seating

"Whoa, what a roar from the crowd. It really sounds different from up on stage versus out in the cheap seats, huh?"

"The volume is muffled inside, you know."

"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 is?"

"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 make me out to be the weird one here?"

"Well, I didn't think you'd stop hearing things entirely."

"Seriously...? I thought that was the case for most of the rankers, at least."

"...Like who, for instance?"

"Umm... Irori, Gen-san, Tiger Lucky—"

"Tiger... Lucky...?"

"Right? That's what I mean. They're all a bunch of battle junkies."

"Rinne is probably that type, too, isn't she? Surprisingly, out of the three tiger disciples, I get the feeling she's the one who's most 'likely to lose sight of her surroundings when she concentrates'."

"The three... tiger disciples...?"

"I don't know if you're mistaken or what, big bro, but Rin-chan isn't Tiger-san's disciple, okay? The correct term is 'the tiger master and his disciple, plus one cute girl,' got it?"

"Well, she certainly has that tendency. For all his bluster, Tiger is sharp, and his disciple inherited that cleverness from him."

"Totally. For a tiger, he's—speaking of which, Irori's katana... it's broken, isn't it? I feel weird saying it since I'm the one who did it, but is he okay? Can he even fight properly?"

"Shouldn't he be fine? Irorin doesn't use the 'blade' when he's fighting a girl, anyway."

"Even with the blade broken, he should be able to produce ice without any issue."

"He doesn't use the blade against girls? Is there a reason?"

"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 they talk about him... I see. So that's how it is..."

"Hinayo's anti-melee strategy splits into two patterns depending on how the initial engagement goes."

"If she weathers the first approach and sets the pace, she gets this favorable pattern."

"...I kind of suspected it, but she's running on fumes after her match with you, big bro. She's focused, I'm sure, but her form is a total mess."

"Well, after pushing herself that hard, even she's bound to be exhausted. Not to mention she's deliberately turned off the default dueling system. That's the real thrill of the selection matches."

"The Four Pillar War format."

"It's tough for the frontliners."

"What about the fact that you defenders are probably in for a rough time this go-around?"

"That's YOUR fault, big bro, isn't it??? You just had to go and endlessly jack up everyone's motivation, didn't you!"

"Nine times out of ten, they'll probably abandon the 'Pillar' and come at us with their full members... Man, this year's war is gonna be wild, huh? Can't wait."

"...My heart is pounding with dread. I wish Sora-chan was here."

"Yeah, well, she's fundamentally not suited for PvP. I hope you'll let her off the hook."

"Well, we can't force her. In reality, even we rankers aren't required to participate. Same as Ui; dragging someone onto a battlefield they don't want to be on is a no-go."

"Frankly, if Sora-chan participated, she'd probably break the balance, so it's for the best, right? I mean, we've already got one person here who shatters the balance in all sorts of ways."

"Says the 'Ultimate Anti-Princess Weapon'... —Seriously, you really can't see a thing. What is this? I get why there'd be complaints now."

"Well, that's what happens when 'flame' and 'ice' clash at full power."

"The funny thing is, despite all this, neither of them is a mage."

"Right? ...Though I guess Hina-san is kind of half a mage, but what the hell is up with Irori? Actually, not Irori, his katana. Thinking about it calmly, that Frostblade Shirosou is seriously broken. That's not the kind of phenomenon a weapon's ability should be able to create."

"The single-digit Anima rankings aren't just for show."

"Sixth in the armor category... When I first saw that, I thought it was some kind of joke. But when you include its freezing ability, its defensive performance in the broader sense is just insane..."

"By the way... big bro, are you aware that Sora-chan's [Cradle of Sword-Craft] recently ranked third in the weapon category?"

"Huh????? Seriously???????"

"What's so surprising? It's a fitting rank. 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 to think it's ranked that high in the public eye... By the way, is my Stella listed anywhere?"

"Eh, I dunno?"

"...I don't recall."

"You don't really use your Anima flashily in public, do you? You've already got so many tricks up your sleeve that the attention is divided. It's probably hard for the public to evaluate it."

"I-Is that so...? Sorry, partner."

"Anyway, this looks like it's about to wrap up."

"She's clearly being pushed back."

"Yeah. The difference in their condition is finally showing."

"Haha, I can relate. Facing Hina-san when your concentration is shot is a death sentence."

"She's also steadily starting to overcome her weaknesses, you know."

"That's why she's participating in the frontliner selection matches, after all."

"That, and because her fans were dying to see her compete."

"If you're going to say that, people were dying to see you two compete as well, you know?"

"Even if we did, all we can do is steamroll everyone. What's the point?"

"Why are you assuming you'd have to enter as a pair?"

"As if there's any other option besides entering as a pair???"

"Uh, my bad."

"Neither I nor Mi-na can fight alone."

"I'm sorry."

"...And, it's over. Next up is Hinayo versus Genkotsu, huh."

"Too bad, Irorin. But all in all, he did a great job, don't you think?"

"This one's got a ridiculously condescending attitude..."

"I'm his senior, after all!"

"Even though he's surpassed you in the rankings."

"I have a better battle record against him!"

"In a two-on-one, that is."

"It was like a mage's duel from start to finish. It was interesting, though... Well, the finals are after a short break, right? I've got something to take care of, so I'll be excusing myself."

"Alright. You coming back to watch?"

"Of course. I'll bring someone else with me if they can make it."

"—! Is! It! Okay! For! Me! To! Get! My! Hopes! Up!?!"

"You're too loud. How attached are you? Are you in love with him?"

"Hey, Number Four. After the finals, free up some time."

"Okay, got it. Well then, excuse me for now."

A few seconds after the youth waved his hand and left his seat via teleportation.

"Huh? Did he just casually make a promise and add you as a friend like it was the most natural thing in the world?"

"Well, it's for contact purposes, probably. I can pretty much guess what he wants, too."

"Are you two friends?"

"We just met. Who said we're friends? Don't be ridiculous."

The one who had been silent until then didn't bother to hide his annoyance as the other three began to tease him, seizing the opportunity. As if his business was done, he quickly vanished with a teleport.

---

A fun and lively spectators' box. And Irori-kun, burned out in a double sense.