In the trade chat group.
Shiba Miyuki: "@Rei Ao, are you there?"
Rei Ao: "Mhm? What made you message me at this hour?"
Rei Ao had just come back from Mafuyu Kirisu's place when he saw Miyuki's ping.
Shiba Miyuki: "Hehe, I actually wanted to discuss something with you, Rei Ao."
Rei Ao: "Oh? What is it? I'm listening."
Frieren: "Here I am—your resident popcorn-eater has arrived. Please begin the show."
Akame: "Pop…corn?"
Saeko Busujima: "Frieren means she's here to watch the gossip."
Ayame Yomogawa: "Looks like Akame still isn't picking up all these trendy terms that easily."
Enju Aihara: "Akame-nee is serious every day."
Akame: "My apologies."
Enju Aihara: "Eh? I—I didn't mean that in a bad way! You being serious makes me feel safe!"
Rei Ao: "Heh, Akame's just straightforward by nature. Alright, let's hear what Miyuki wants to say."
Shiba Miyuki: "Mhm. Here's the thing—three days from now we're hosting the Nine Schools Tournament, and I'll be competing for my school. I wanted to ask if you have time to come watch my matches?"
Shiba Miyuki: "Of course, it's totally fine if you don't."
That one line—cool as ice crystals yet carrying a barely noticeable hint of nerves—sent ripples through the chat after a brief, quiet pause.
Frieren: "Nine Schools Tournament? Sounds like some kind of competition."
Ayame Yomogawa: "A magic tourney? Like a samurai duel ceremony?"
Mai Sakurajima: "I'm getting déjà vu. @Stella."
Stella: "Emmm, yeah—it feels like our academy's internal ranking battles, but bigger and more formal. Kinda like the Seven Star Sword Art Festival."
Shinoa Hiiragi: "With Miyuki's power now, she should be able to take the title easily. Is there… another reason?"
Fubuki: "Tsk, tsk—obviously to show her strongest self to the most important person. I get it! @Rei Ao What do you think?"
Shiba Miyuki: "Uu…"
Seeing everyone guess her motive, Miyuki grew a little embarrassed.
Sui: "Fighting's not really my thing—but go, Miyuki."
Miko Yotsuya: "A live magic fight? Sounds really fun!"
Shinoa Hiiragi: "Ara ara~ Miyuki-chan took the initiative to invite him~ Rei Ao-sama mustn't let a girl's feelings go unanswered~ hehe"
Mikoto Misaka: "Magic competition? Hah. Different system, but it does sound interesting."
At the same time, Mikoto suddenly remembered Academy City's Daihasei Festival. "Maybe I should invite Rei Ao over then?" The thought tempted her.
Inori Yuzuriha: "Miyuki, you've got this."
Fubuki: "If it's a showdown between top dogs, I'm watching."
Enju Aihara: "Wow! A tournament! I wanna see! And good luck, Miyuki!"
Marcille: "Magic! Real magic fights from another world? I sooo want to watch! (sparkly-eyes emoji)"
Mio Akiyama: "M-Magic battles? For real life?!"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "I—I'm curious too."
Touka Kirishima: "Magic, huh…"
Ai Hayasaka: "By the way, if it's schools facing off, the Nine Schools Tournament must carry a lot of weight, right?"
The newer members were all curious.
In an instant, the chat was filled with exclamations, questions, and cheers.
Miyuki watched the messages race by, a faint ripple crossing her cool gaze. Her fingertips moved, typing out a clear explanation line by line.
Shiba Miyuki: "That's right—the Nine Schools Tournament affects resource allocation and the cultivation of future talent. It has major strategic significance."
Shiba Miyuki: "It's the highest-tier event jointly hosted by nine top magic high schools."
Shiba Miyuki: "It tests magical technique, strategic thinking, and combat readiness: personal magic computation speed trials, CAD operation precision contests, tactical exercises in simulated battlefields… and a final single-elimination phase."
Shiba Miyuki: "In essence, it's a comprehensive contest of magic and intellect."
Marcille: "Simulated battlefields! Elimination rounds! Whoa—way more thrilling than Adventurers' Guild exams!"
Mio Akiyama: "E-Elimination…? W-Will people get hurt?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "There should be rules to prevent injuries, right?"
Touka Kirishima: "But with something like magic, there's always uncertainty."
Mikoto Misaka: "Even sports meets see injuries sometimes—never mind magic duels."
Frieren: "Alright, alright—the key is Rei Ao's answer. @Rei Ao Miyuki is really looking forward to it~"
Rei Ao: "Okay. Three days from now, I'll be there."
Just a few simple words, but they dropped like an anchor, instantly easing Miyuki's heart.
Shinoa Hiiragi: "Told you—Rei Ao wouldn't turn Miyuki-chan down."
Enju Aihara: "I wanna go too! Rei Ao-oniichan, can you take me?"
Marcille: "Me too! Please please?"
Mio Akiyama: "Um… I… I'm kind of curious too… (tiny voice)"
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Another world's scenery… and magic… I kind of yearn for it."
Touka Kirishima: "I'm in…"
Seeing everyone's interest, Rei Ao smiled.
Rei Ao: "@Mio Akiyama @Mitsuha Miyamizu @Touka Kirishima @Marcille @Enju Aihara …and anyone else who wants to go—three days from now, I can take you all to watch."
Shiba Miyuki: "You're all very welcome. I won't let you all down."
Beneath the Snow Queen's cool text, there was a warmth so subtle it was almost imperceptible.
The chat buzzed for a while longer, swapping notes on what to expect from an interworld outing and what to look forward to.
Miyuki quietly closed the chat window.
Her dorm room fell silent.
She stood by the window, looking out at the greenery beyond the glass. Deep under that permafrost layer in her eyes, a flame named "anticipation" burned bright and clear.
Rei Ao will come.
He'll watch with his own eyes as she stands on a stage that draws the gaze of this entire world and shines with brilliance forged from wisdom across the realms—surpassing the limits of this one.
She will win—decisively, undeniably—and make everyone remember her name.
All for that faint glimmer of recognition, maybe even approval, that might appear in his eyes.
Just imagining it sent a fierce fighting spirit and an unprecedented drive surging through her from head to toe.
She had to be at her absolute best.
These three days—every minute, every second—must not be wasted.
She would tune herself to peak condition.
Her clenched fist slowly relaxed; a faint, visible glow of magic—rimmed with an absolute-zero chill—coiled around her fingertips.
The dorm room's temperature seemed to drop by a few degrees.
~~~
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