The two members who finished their entrance took the stage, which was specially made, and lined up in a single line facing each other. Both sides likely knew who would be competing beforehand, but this was their first meeting. The competitors observed the faces of the opposing team with great interest.
“Now then, to the center, please! Representative of the Adventurer Guild, Guild Master Shin Reinihart, and Representative of Lumiest, Principal Art Desire!”
As Ran’s voice echoed through the venue, Shin and Art stepped forward from their respective members.
“Well, well, it’s been quite a while, Art. And why are you, the Principal, participating in this Versus Match? It’s a shame for instructors to take away the stage for their students’ accomplishments, isn’t it?”
“That’s my line. You’ve brought quite a few adventurers this year, including yourself. Even though my students are incredibly promising for the future, isn’t this lineup a bit too much? Are you perhaps planning to save the world afterwards?”
“Actually, that might be the case. And why not win this Versus Match, as usual? Yes, as usual.”
“That’s quite some confidence. However, I warn you that if you aim for great deeds, you should cast aside complacency. One day, people will turn away from you.”
“……Fuhhuhuhu!”
The two members vowed to fight honorably and shook hands as proof. Even during this scene at the opening ceremony, Shin and Art immediately began to exchange sharp glances. While both wore smiles, their tightly clasped hands clearly conveyed the crushing power of a vise.
“Oh, those two are strong. They’re both fired up, but you can’t feel any killing aura from them. Aside from the handshake itself, that’s something that requires an immense amount of training.”
“Shin-chan and Art-chan are both adventurers and those in positions of authority, aren’t they? Aside from the handshake, I wonder if they’ve learned the art of not revealing their emotions as part of their social skills?”
“Forget the handshake, that’s the opposite of us who prefer to just throw our emotions at each other.”
“Ufufu, maybe so!”
“Huh? Am I included in that too?”
“Of course! Rather, why do you think you’re on that side? You’re getting along with Ange every day, aren’t you?”
“Mph!”
“Glostina, it’s not ‘Mph!’ Bakke, why are you taking the conversation in such a strange direction!?”
“Kukuku, I didn’t mean anything lewd by it. As a hunting mentor, I’m curious if that half-baked kid is doing well. After all, it’s no exaggeration to say that it’s thanks to me that Ange’s love has come to fruition, right?”
“Fufu. In short, is it like the relationship between Sera-chan and Older Sister? How wonderful! I also want to help a maiden in love someday!”
“Speaking of which, Kelvin, can I have you taste-test something next time? Even if it’s Ange’s, I’m still curious!”
“Guh…! The retorts just can’t keep up…!”
The S-Rank Adventurers, other than Art and Shin, seemed to be enjoying lively casual conversation. Despite being under the gaze of a large crowd, there was no sign of tension at all. Watching the state of the Adventurer Guild members, Graham, clad in armor, seemed to be impressed.
“Hmm, as expected. The Versus Match, a grand event, is about to begin, yet they are as calm as if they are in their everyday lives… Truly, battle-ready at all times! S-Rank Adventurers are not to be underestimated!”
“No, they’re not thinking about anything that difficult. They’re genuinely enjoying their conversation.”
Bell immediately declared that that was not the case. Lyon and Kuromel, standing beside her, offered wry smiles that conveyed their uncertainty.
“No, no, it’s definitely not like that. Moreover… it seems that it’s not just the S-Rank Adventurers who are not to be underestimated. The remaining two are also no ordinary people.”
The “remaining two” Graham was referring to were the A-Rank Adventurers standing next to Kelvin. One was a small girl with distinct twin-bun hair, and the other was a very muscular man. There’s no need for further explanation. They were Suzu and Oddrad. Suzu seemed overjoyed to be on the same stage as Kelvin, her eyes brimming with emotion simply standing there. Oddrad, perhaps wanting to show off his impressive physique to the audience, struck a flamboyant pose.
“…Well, perhaps they’re not ordinary. Not in the ordinary sense.”
Indeed, it was a scene that was extraordinary in many ways.
“The competitors for the Versus Match have been decided as Suzu-chan and Occhan. Shin-chan, that’s too bad…”
“Paul-san is also disappointed. He was so motivated…”
Meanwhile, Lyon and Kuromel, who had been assisting in polishing raw talent like Shinjir and Paul, looked a little disappointed that they hadn’t been selected as members, even if it was only for a moment.
And so, while various thoughts and feelings swirled, the ceremony proceeded smoothly. After the pledges and handshakes from the representatives of both sides, and greetings from various VIPs, the opening ceremony for the Versus Match concluded for the time being. Along the way, Bak yawned grandly, Glostina scolded him, Suzu was satisfied, Oddrad struck poses, Art shone in response to the muscles, and somehow, the opening ceremony ended. Some of the audience seemed exhausted by the sheer volume of information, but it was probably just their imagination.
“Thank you for waiting! The first match of the Versus Match is imminent!”
“Waaaaaaah!”
“Ah, what a wonderful cheer! This is what a grand stage match should feel like! This is truly the joy of commentary! I am trembling from the bottom of my soul!”
“Ran-san, it’s fine to be moved, but please provide some supplementary information about the match.”
“Ri-right, right, right! I haven’t forgotten! Um, you see, in this Versus Match, which consists of five matches, the matchups will be determined according to the member lists submitted by both sides. The content of the member lists is information that only a select few managing it can know, so even I, the commentator, don’t know what the matchups will be yet! I’ll find out here and do live commentary on the spot! Exciting, isn’t it!”
“As in previous years, I, the administrator, will disclose the information right before the match, and the matchups will be revealed then. Therefore, I will now announce the matchups for the first match.”
The venue, filled with cheers, fell silent, and everyone waited for Milky’s next words.
“—First Match, Representative of Lumiest, Bel Baal. Representative of the Adventurer Guild, Suzu.”
“Oh, what a flashy production.”
“Wha…!”
At that moment, Bel and Suzu, who were standing alongside the representative members on stage, were illuminated by spotlights generated by magic. Even though it was still daylight, the red and blue lights were clearly visible to the audience. Therefore, it was immediately clear who would be competing in the first match.
“Ooh, the first match looks like it’s going to be quite a spectacular one! Bel is a student who entered as valedictorian this year and is rumored to be the greatest talent in Lumiest’s long history! She hails from the Grellverelka Empire, a great nation in the Northern Continent! Although there are still many mysteries surrounding her, how will she fight in the match!? The strength of the crimson maiden is about to be revealed!”
“I wish she had come to Selva Dormitory instead of Ciel Dormitory. It’s truly a shame. Shouldn’t the head of Ciel Dormitory just die?”
“Well, I don’t know about that…”
Ran thought. Milky’s poisonous tongue was as sharp as ever, but she had also poached Graham, whom the head of Marl Dormitory, Horas, wanted, for Selva Dormitory, so she couldn’t really say much about other dorms—or so she strongly thought to herself, though she couldn’t say it out loud.
“A-And for the Adventurer Guild, Suzu… Oh! According to the documents at hand, she is the Guild Master at the Adventurer Guild branch in the great nation of Traage! Seeing her age, she appears to be around our age as students, but what kind of position is she in! This is amazing in a different way than S-Rank Adventurers!”
“Yes, I am also very interested. However, if the Guild Master is participating, does that mean the Guild Master can also participate? Hmm, since the Principal is also participating, I can’t argue with that.”
“Let’s just say this year is full of exceptions! While all the attention was on the S-Rank Adventurers, will Suzu also show us a different level of strength!? The highly anticipated match is coming up right after this! Please don’t miss it!”
