Prologue
The story of my battle in the Degree Battle—where I, for likely the first time in the history of Utrea Academy, fought by commanding an Evil Spirit—spread throughout the entire academy in the blink of an eye. The whole school was buzzing with the topic.
Everywhere I went, I was constantly called out to and interrogated about every little detail, true or otherwise.
“I knew you were lying when you said you didn’t have one!”
“Are you really contracted with an Evil Spirit!?”
“Are you contracted with some dangerous spirit you have to hide!?”
Nearly two weeks had passed since the Degree Battle ended. Despite that, I was still being subjected to the same endless cycle of questions I’d faced back in the infirmary, and every time, I voiced my denials. However, once denied, they would simply…
“I see, I see. That’s the ‘official story,’ then.”
“It’s okay. Even if you’re contracted with an Evil Spirit, I’m still on your side.”
“I suppose you have your reasons…”
With that, they would put on an expression of self-satisfied understanding and gallantly walk away.
Technically they were asking questions, but in reality, they had already reached their own conclusions. They just wanted to hear the confirmation they were looking for. And when they didn’t hear it, they simply twisted my words to fit their own narrative.
Give me a break already. There’s no point in even asking me at that rate.
“…………I’m exhausted.”
Burnt out, I stared up at the sky with dead eyes while slumped on a deserted bench behind the school building.
Looking at the clear, cloudless blue sky made me feel like I wanted to just become a bird and fly away.
“How did it end up like this…?”
I intended for my “courageous coming out” to clear up the misunderstanding, but for some reason, the result went in the exact opposite direction. Well, since I’m personally advocating that I don’t have a contracted spirit, I feel a bit more at ease than before, and I do feel like the gazes from those around me have become more favorable… but that aside, I can’t help but feel the situation is steadily getting worse.
That said, if they won’t believe me even when I, the person in question, deny it, there’s no way to solve this. Honestly, what am I supposed to do?
“Sigh…”
Before I knew it, a deep sigh escaped my lips.
Why is it that even though I’ve passed the hurdles of the exams and the Degree Battle, I’m filled with a sense of exhaustion rather than achievement…?
“You don’t look like a man who just ended the final Degree Battle of the first semester with a victory.”
“……Hm?”
While I was staring blankly at the sky, I heard a familiar voice. When I turned my listless gaze toward it, a familiar, noble-looking, handsome guy—Gareth-Orrot—entered my field of vision.
“Hey there.”
“Do you need something?”
“Well, I did come to see you because I have business… but you look more tired than I expected.”
“Of course I am. Anyone would end up like this after being bombarded with questions every single day.”
Gareth gave a wry smile at my words.
“It can’t be helped, considering how much that Degree Battle has become a topic of conversation.”
“Well, I guess so…”
I hate to say it myself, but my opponent was that Trallus, and on top of that, I fought using an Evil Spirit, even if it was just a temporary contract. It would be stranger if people weren’t talking about it.
“I assume the teachers asked you quite a bit as well?”
“Yeah, that was the most grueling part.”
After the match, as soon as my physical condition recovered, I was summoned by the faculty for an interrogation regarding the Evil Spirit. Especially Albert-sensei; he was uncharacteristically excited, asking me incredibly detailed and persistent questions about everything from my encounter with the Evil Spirit to the temporary contract. I was truly worn out.
“Did you tell them about your contracted spirit too?”
“There was no point in hiding it at this stage. Though, it seemed their heads were completely filled with the Evil Spirit stuff…”
From the perspective of the higher-ups, the fact that I could command an Evil Spirit was more shocking than whether or not I had a contracted spirit, so I can’t deny the feeling that the part about my contracted spirit was just glossed over.
I mean, if the teachers don’t care, that’s fine by me, but…
“Well, a Spirit Master who can contract an Evil Spirit while remaining sane—even if it’s just a temporary contract—is unprecedented. If things go south, this might cause a stir not just in the academy, but across the whole country.”
“Seriously, stop it. Don’t spread any more rumors about me…”
At Gareth’s teasing tone, Rourke groaned while covering his face with his hands.
Just imagining the rumors spreading across the country was terrifying. Even within the academy, the rumors weren’t spreading correctly and were being embellished with all sorts of nonsense; if they spread nationwide, there was no telling how much the truth would be dramatized.
“Anyway, I have one piece of news for you, since you’re having such a hard time.”
“Is that the business you mentioned earlier? By the way… is it good news? Or bad news?”
“I wonder.”
“Hey, that’s scary. You’re scaring me.”
I felt a chill at Gareth’s meaningful smile. What could it be? Did I do something?
There were too many things that came to mind, so I had no idea.
“Misha has sent an invitation for you to join a training camp.”
“A training… camp?”
I was bewildered by the content of Gareth’s business, which I hadn’t expected.
“Yeah. It seems they’re holding a camp for the members selected for the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival (Dai-Seirei Enbusai).”
“The Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival… wait, am I included in that?”
“You are.”
…Are you serious? They’re putting me—someone without a contracted spirit—in the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival? Are they sane?
“It’s finally time to steel your resolve, Rourke. Well, you should go to the student council room and hear the details from Misha herself.”
“…………”
The Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival.
A grand festival that could be called the dream stage for young Spirit Masters. Just after overcoming the Degree Battle, I was once again reminded that the day was fast approaching.
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“We will be holding a training camp.”
“A camp…”
Just as Gareth told me, I headed to the student council, where Misha told me exactly that.
“Yes. Recently, the organizers of the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival announced that this year’s format will be a team competition between schools.”
“A team battle this year, huh…”
The format of the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival changes every year.
Since it also functions as a ritual to worship spirits, the format is altered according to the will of the spirits. It can be individual matches, or like this year, a team battle between schools; it’s held in a wide variety of formats.
“Yes. Therefore, I believe teamwork will be necessary this year. Based on the results of the Degree Battle, I’ve decided to hold a training camp during the break with the selected members.”
“I see… and I’m really one of them?”
“Of course. You are one of our primary combat assets.”
I felt a bit taken aback by her immediate response, as if I had said something strange.
“Is it really okay to include me?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, I used an Evil Spirit in the Degree Battle…”
Once I said that much, she seemed to understand what I was trying to say, and Misha nodded with a look of realization.
“There is no problem at all. After all, you were controlling it perfectly, weren’t you?”
“But on top of that, my contract with a spirit is…”
“Is that not just a rumor?”
“No! The rumor that I have one is the lie!!”
Why is the truth being interpreted as a rumor!? Give me a break!
When I shouted that, Misha murmured “Is that so?” with a slightly surprised look.
“So if you’re misunderstanding—”
“Whether you are contracted with a spirit or an Evil Spirit, Rourke-Areas, it does not change the fact that you are a Spirit Master our academy can be proud of.”
Her jewel-like blue eyes pierced straight through me. I found myself unable to say anything more to Misha, who stated this clearly, cutting off my words.
“Did I not tell you before? My evaluation of you will not be overturned…”
“……Ah, right. That’s what you said.”
The memory of shopping at the Great Market flickered through my mind. Recalling the words Misha had given me back then, I slowly exhaled.
“………Alright, I’ll participate.”
“Thank you very much.”
I gave a wry smile to the smiling Misha. Being trusted this much, I could hardly refuse to participate in the camp.
“I will contact you again regarding the detailed schedule and location. There is no need to rush, but please prepare for the camp for the time being.”
“Got it. Just let me know once things are decided.”
I nodded, turned my back to Misha, and headed for the exit of the student council room.
I’ll likely need many spirits for the training camp again. I should gather as many spirits for temporary contracts as I can while I have the chance.
“Rourke-Areas.”
Just as I put my hand on the door with that thought, my name was called from behind.
Wondering if there was something else, I turned around and saw Misha with a smile appropriate for her age—the kind of smile she’d shown during the Spirit Festival, which in a way didn’t seem like her usual self.
“Let us work hard together to win the Great Spirit Martial Arts Festival.”
“………A-As I’ve said many times, I don’t have a contracted spirit, okay? Keep that in mind when picking the members!”
As I left, while I wanted to live up to Misha’s trust, I couldn’t help but give such a pathetic reply.
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