On the sixth night of the Gratitude Festival, after finishing today's duties, I headed to the Clan Leader's office.
The tournament bracket for tomorrow's high-rank explorer martial arts tournament was finally announced.
Already public—so bars are probably buzzing with bets on the winner.
"Leader—it's Orun."
Knocked—announced arrival.
"Come in" from inside—I entered.
Leader, Selma-san, Will, and PR head Jerome were already there.
"Sorry—last one. Made you wait."
"No issue. Sorry for piling work on you."
Apologized for delay—Leader apologized instead.
"Starting tomorrow—can't help much. Cooperating when possible is only natural."
"Leader—let's start. We need to decide our direction too."
Jerome urged to begin.
True—half day left to finalize "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"'s PR strategy for tournament—execute.
PR department—led by Jerome—will be busiest.
"Right. Selma—give the three the bracket."
"Understood. —This is tomorrow's high-rank explorer tournament bracket."
Selma handed us papers with matchups.
(Tournament—no prelims like open division. Random? Let's see.)
Took bracket—checked.
"...Feels rigged. Too perfect for random."
Will muttered after checking.
First thought—few participants.
Sixteen total.
Late notice—factor. Can't help somewhat.
Will's "rigged"—small number—could be coincidence—but host is Marquis Forgas.
"Random draw, officially. Two per S-rank party—one per A-rank. Same-party members separated."
Selma explained official line.
"So Will and I meet in finals."
"Orun aside—I'll face hero party's ace before. Tough reaching finals."
Yeah—Oliver in different block.
Thought Marquis might pit us first—but finals for max hype.
If I lose early—fine too.
"...Hey Orun—bluntly—what're my odds against him?"
Will asked.
Others interested—all eyes on me.
"Will's seasoned warrior. First seeing dual blades that skilled. No doubt. —But beating Oliver—hard. Ten matches—lose nine-plus."
My words—heavy air.
Knew it'd happen—but consoling pointless.
"...Yeah—big gap. Still—not zero chance. Possible to win finals. Orun—meet you there! Don't lose to Sword Princess either."
Will forced cheer.
Shouldn't touch it.
"—Yeah. Promise—full power."
Bumped fists—answered.
◇
"Assuming you know rules—but confirm."
Selma began explanation.
Schedule—no double fights daily.
Round one—day seven. Round two—day eight. Etc.
One fight per day—even winning all.
Venue—Tsutorail arena. Standard circular—20m diameter.
Win conditions—opponent yields—or judge decides.
"Any questions?"
"PR—leave to us?"
"Fine. I'll oversee overall."
"Got it. Discuss content in dept. —Leader—excuse us."
"Yeah—PR—good luck."
Jerome left quickly.
Time tight.
"Will, Orun—again—do your best. Pray you meet finals."
Leader encouraged—we left.
"Oh—Sophia message. After this—come usual Exploration Management room."
Sophia? Trouble? Selma not panicked—no issue.
Why call?
Find out by going.
"Got it. Heading now."
"Orun—good luck both! If finals—full power!"
"Yeah."
◇
Reached usual Exploration Management room—Sophia, Log, Carol there.
"Master—thanks for coming suddenly!"
"No issue—all done today. Why call?"
"Actually—something for Master."
Sophia answered.
...For me?
"Master's birth month this month—so! Present—from us three!"
Carol handed heavy cloth-wrapped item.
"Master—congratulations!"
"Congrats!" "Congrats~!"
Three celebrated my birth month.
Too sudden...
Rarely celebrated birthdays—even self—since explorer.
Custom elsewhere—not here.
Happy—didn't know how to react.
"...Thanks. Sorry—almost never celebrated. But really happy. Can open?"
"Yes. Hope you like..."
Log—half expectant, half anxious.
Gift from thinking of me—anything welcome.
Excited—unwrapped.
Three books.
"...Books?"
All foreign publications.
"Y-Yes. Master reads often—so thought books good..."
Sophia answered timidly—watching reaction.
Probably odd expression now.
Alone—hyper happy.
But disciples here—don't wanna show too much.
Books—all unread—topics interesting.
Heartfelt gift—truly happy.
"No joke—really happy. Thanks—all three."
"Master happy—good! Actually—advice from Seirei-neesan."
Spirits' big sis? How Carol know spirits? Or recognize...? —Wait. No way.
"Blue long-haired woman my age?"
"Yes. Know her? She said spirits told her what Master likes."
"...Yeah—know well. His advice. Haha—impressive."
Definitely Luna.
Showed her new books excitedly sometimes...
Not hated. Good.
Thought hated.
Ignored return request—joined other clan.
Recent—indirectly involved father's arrest.
Luna knows I was there.
Expected hate.
When met—after child kidnapping exposed.
Same day asked birth month.
Hate or not—ensuring Luna not charged for Flockheart stuff.
Gathering info now.
No way Luna involved in child kidnapping.
Trial—post-festival.
"Ne~ Master—what's Seirei? Sis said you know well."
Carol asked about spirits.
Spirits—normal life—rare contact.
Most live unaware—fine not knowing.
But interested—overview okay?
All somewhat magic-understanding—fine.
"Got it. Lecture on spirits. Special class."
Said "lecture"—three sat properly—pens/notebooks out.
No need so serious...
Probably can't fully understand anyway.
"Before—Carol question."
"Hm~? What~?"
"Recent magic study—problem. Magic activation steps?"
"Fufu~! Easy! Brain-build blueprint 'spell construction'—surround mana convert 'mana inflow'—activates!"
Rain-san taught theory properly.
"Correct. Magic—human-caused mana phenomena—remember? —Another question. Answer if know. You cast beginner magic. After spell phenomenon ends—magic remnants—what happens?"
[Fire Bullet] attacks enemy—flame seems vanish.
But never cleanly disappears.
Can they answer?