NOVEL NEXT Chapter 321 - Heidemarie vs Meg
Heidemarie vs Meg
“Ugh, you’re so noisy. Oi, Asuka’s waking up.”
Reki, his eyes half-closed, said that just as the waiting room had gotten a bit lively. Sorry for making so much noise. Well, I wasn’t the one making noise, but I feel like I was the cause!
“Nnn… mmm… hah! Ah, eh!? The match!?”
Just like Reki said, Asuka woke up. He sat up and then looked around. He checked the faces of those present, stopped moving for a few seconds… and then collapsed back onto the bed. Eh!? Is he still unwell? I was worried, but it seems like that’s not it.
“Ah… I… lost…”
He muttered this weakly.
I don’t know what to say… If it was me, I’d want to be left alone. Everyone was quietly staring at him, looking concerned, and then Asuka suddenly sat up and got out of bed. We stared at him, dumbfounded, and then he walked towards Goot.
“I’ll definitely defeat you next time!”
“Asuka…”
Asuka, approaching Goot, shouted this. Goot, startled, blinked a few times, and then chuckled and answered.
“I won’t lose, no matter how many times we fight.”
“What—!? Ugh, I’m so frustrated! I’m going to get even stronger!”
“Hmm, then I also can’t let my guard down. I’m also going to get stronger!”
The two of them then grinned and shook hands. O-Ooh! Such a beautiful friendship! At any rate, I’m glad. They’re going to be good rivals from now on!
“…That doesn’t look so bad, men getting together.”
I decided to ignore Heidemarie’s comment. You have a wide range of interests, don’t you…!?
Asuka, Goot, Schlie-san, and Ashley-san returned to their spectator seats, now that he was awake. It’s my turn next! I retied my hair to calm myself down. A high ponytail makes me feel more motivated.
Because there wasn’t much damage to the venue, they’re able to immediately start the next match. There’s going to be another break after this match, before the finals, to prevent anyone from having to participate in consecutive matches. They’re so soft on children. I wonder if anyone’s complaining. I’m sure they’re not.
『Now then, it’s time for the next match! Who will be moving on to the finals to fight Goot? Please enter the venue, contestants!』
The announcer finally called our names. I pulled myself together.
“Meg-sama, I admire you, but I’m going to give it my all in this match!”
Heidemarie, who’d appeared beside me at some point, said that, extending her hand. I’m so happy! I firmly gripped her hand.
“Of course! Let’s both do our best!”
We smiled at each other after shaking hands. I was a bit worried because Heidemarie looked like she was about to faint, muttering, “I’m so happy…”, but… she seemed to hold on. We let go of each other’s hands, and then headed for the door that leads to the venue.
“Meg, just do what you always do.”
Gil-san gave me those words of encouragement. “Just do what you always do,” huh? That’s right, I’ve trained hard! I’ll relax, trust my spirits, like I always do, and believe in myself.
“Okay! Watch me, Gil-san!”
I glanced back, said that, and then took a step forward.
『It looks like the contestants for the fifth match have entered! Heidemarie, from Schutor, and Meg, from Ortus! This is Meg’s first match! Wow, she’s so cuuuute!』
『Of course she is! Our Meg’s the cutest in the world!』
『You’re right, I don’t think anyone in this world can compare to Meg’s cuteness.』
Wait, wait, commentators!? Of all people, Dad and Mara-san!? Uwah, this is so embarrassing! This is blatant favoritism! I completely understand how Rune felt. This is public execution! I want to hide… but I can’t!
『Yeah, yeah, that’s not an exaggeration. I can hear people buzzing about Meg’s cuteness all over the venue.』
That is an exaggeration! Please stop! I’m sure they’re buzzing because you guys are showing favoritism! Commentators, do your jobs properly! Please!
“You two, please step forward.”
I was cringing from embarrassment, and then Kron-san’s calm voice startled me, and I looked up. She’s so reliable in situations like these. Thanks to that, I calmed down.
Heidemarie and I went up to the venue, standing on opposite sides. So this is where we’re fighting, huh? I looked up and was surrounded by so many spectators… it’s a strange feeling. I’m nervous, but what’s this feeling welling up inside? Am I excited? I’ve never felt this kind of exhilaration before.
No way, does this mean I actually like this kind of thing? But if I accept it, then maybe I’ll be able to relax. These are feelings I never had when I was Megu. I was basically bad at competing… but now, I really don’t want to lose! So I am competitive.
Okay, I’m definitely going to win!
“Begin!”
Kron-san declared the start of the match, lowering her hand. I immediately called out to Shou-chan.
You said it earlier, right? That you can enter my body, just like Asuka. Then, would it be okay to ask Fuu-chan too? I want you to handle all the dodging. And Shou-chan, can you listen to Heidemarie’s thoughts too? Then we’ll know where her attacks are coming from.
And then I want you all to move as you see fit. You’re all my precious family. But during matches, be my arms and legs!
The spirits responded, saying “Of course.” I could feel Fuu-chan entering my body.
And then I felt this incredible power welling up from within. What’s this, what’s this? It’s both cool and warm, a pleasant sensation. This sense of unity is incredible! I should have done this sooner.
It feels like I can do anything. I entrusted my body to Fuu-chan, imagining my movements.
『Wow, she’s incredible! Meg’s smoothly and gracefully dodging all of Heidemarie’s attacks! Like an angel!』
I could hear the announcer’s cheerful voice. But it doesn’t really feel like I’m dodging. Or rather… it feels like I’m dancing with Fuu-chan.
『Master! I feel the same way!』
『That’s not fair! I also want to try!』
『Me too!』
It seems like I can communicate with everyone almost instantly because Shou-chan’s transmitting my thoughts. It’s incredible that it’s able to listen to both my thoughts and Heidemarie’s, at the same time! It’s so capable!
Homura-kun, Shou-chan, and everyone else were all saying “Me too!” after hearing Fuu-chan’s happy comment.
Hey, hey, don’t be unreasonable! I’ll definitely let you do it someday. I just can’t right now, because it’s something I can’t let others know. Next time, okay? It’s a promise.
I couldn’t help but smile because I’m so happy that they love me. My spirits are so adorable!
『Meg, what’s with that smile! Even I, as a woman, am smitten! She’s smiling even though she’s fending off Heidemarie’s attacks! But it’s not annoying at all! She’s just incredibly cute!』
『…I’ve never seen that side of Meg before.』
『Yes, that’s also my first time seeing her fight like that. It’s like… she’s gracefully dancing.』
Mara-san, that’s right! It feels like I’m dancing. I can properly see what’s going on, you know? I can see Heidemarie aiming for me, from all directions, and those glimpses of the black cloth.
But Fuu-chan, who’s in my body, is automatically dodging with Shou-chan’s accurate instructions, and the moment there’s an opening, everyone else attacks in turn.
『Th-This is… incredible… I’m speechless… just how many different types of magic can she use? Meg-san…』
Shou-chan’s relaying my thoughts to the spirits, and I’m dancing with Fuu-chan, and the fire, water, lightning, and vines are moving exactly as I imagine. They’re even being careful not to hurt her, respecting my wishes. This feels incredible.
All that magic power that had been overflowing inside is now circulating. Through me, to the spirits. And then back to me. Though it is leaking a bit, because I have too much. Maybe I’ll get even better if I can stop it from leaking.
I feel like it’s a waste for the match to end now. Because this is my first time feeling so connected to my spirits.
But this is the tournament, and these are just the preliminaries. And I want to properly fight and defeat Heidemarie.
“Ugh, they’re not hitting! Meg-sama’s so cute!”
I think I heard something aside from, “They’re not hitting!”, and, “Meg-sama’s so cute!”, but I’ll just pretend I didn’t. I carefully released a small amount of magic power, making sure it wouldn’t be too much.
『Mmm! I feel so powerful! Master, shall we go?』
“Yes, please!”
And then a ripple of wind spread out, with me at the center. Heidemarie, hit by that gentle wind, stopped moving for a second, and then I enveloped her. I spread my arms, releasing wind, and Heidemarie was gently carried out of bounds.
It’s basically the same thing Asuka and Rune did. I’m not going to let my guard down, of course. I instantly reacted to Shou-chan, who’d called out, “Master,” and gave instructions to Rai-chan. Rai-chan, releasing a small bolt of lightning, erased the darkness and the magic circle that had been approaching from behind. I’m so glad we came up with countermeasures!
Thanks to that, I avoided Heidemarie’s magic and gently placed her out of bounds. Gently, so that she wouldn’t get hurt!
…The venue was silent. U-Um, huh? Did I win? This isn’t a dream, right? Heidemarie’s blankly sitting there, out of bounds. She shouldn’t be hurt, but…
“Um, Kron-san?”
“Hah! S-Sorry. That’s it! Meg wins!”
I timidly called out to Kron-san, the judge, because no one was reacting. It must be a big deal, because even she’d been spacing out. Eh? Did I do something strange? Hmm, there’s no way to know, even if I think about it. It’s just that it felt more like dancing than fighting.
『O-Out of bounds! The winner of the fifth match is… Meg!!』
Karina-san, the announcer, was finally able to declare the end of the match after Kron-san spoke. And then a few seconds later, the venue finally erupted in cheers. U-Um, aren’t those cheers a bit much? Maybe it’s just because I’m here?
I looked at Heidemarie, my opponent, and she… was crying. Eh!? Why!? Did she get hurt somewhere!? I worriedly ran over to her.
“Heidemarie, are you okay? Are you hurt? I’m sorry!”
I knelt beside her and asked that, and she shook her head. “No way!” Eh? Eh? I don’t understand!
“That wind… it was so warm, I felt such kindness that it made me want to cry… I felt like… I touched your heart, Meg-sama… I was so moved… that I…!”
Heidemarie, after saying just that, burst into tears. Um, it doesn’t look like she’s in pain… but this still means… that I made her cry, right?
Wah, what should I do—!! K-Kron-san!!