4.15. Grand Magic Showdown

"Iona, do you have a very sharp knife that can cut through mithril?"

"Why?"

"Well, you see, my horns are growing quite long. I think I need to cut it soon.."

"No cutting your horns! Absolutely! No!" Schwii screamed.

"Seriously? It's getting quite long though.." Sequencee carefully tapped the base of his sole horn. It was already large enough that he could fit it firmly in the grasps of his palms.

It had been almost four years since his mother had last cut it. Typically, it takes around three to six years for it to grow back to its original size, so every half decade or so, he would have to face the agony of breaking his horns.

"So what? I like it long," she said with a straight face.

"That's.. a weird way to word it Schwii."

"Aren't you going to the competition? If you cut your horns now, your magic will lose its stability. Ultimately, affecting your performance."

"Makes sense.."

'There will be a drop in mana if I cut my horns..'

"Sequencee, just leave your horns be. If you don't do that, you'll become a crippled demon for life. A lot of your potential was lost because of it. I don't understand why your mother would ever think to remove a part of your body as important as your horns."

"Fine. I'll leave it as is.. then I'll likely have to spend my points on upgrading [Illusion Magic: Universal Haze] then."

"How many points do you lack?"

"Around ten more souls."

"Hm.." Schwii fell pensive.

"You shouldn't ever remove your horns," Iona said, bringing the food to the table.

"Then it would be a problem if I moved around in the human society, right?"

"Perhaps."

'Perhaps? If that happens then I would be kicked out, wouldn't I?'

"Otherwise, you may return to the demon nation," Iona said.

"Now?"

"As soon as the year ends."

".. Right.."

"..."

Schwii didn't look particularly happy when Iona mentioned that. In any case, Iona drizzled the sauce over their plate of omurice and prodded them to eat.

"Sequencee. When this is over.. I'm sorry you'll have to bear with working for a while.."

"By work, you mean?"

"Exactly what it is. Until father confirms that you're no longer hostile towards us, you'll be under supervision, or so was I what I heard.."

"Is that how it works..?"

"Iona, you hadn't received a response letter anywhere?"

"No. The only information I acquired is that by the year's end, I shall escort both of you home."

'Home..'

The word left a sour taste in his mouth.

But at least, the taste was washed away by Iona's delicious cooking.

"Your Highness, if you require those points, perhaps I can make an exception for a night or two."

"Really?"

"Iona, no," Schwii rejected.

"Your Highness, I understand the risks. Trust that he is more than capable of defending himself."

"B-But.."

"Schwii, I'm glad that you're worried about me. But you know, as I've said before, I can't keep hiding behind you like this."

".. Yes. I understand," the succubus casted her head down.

"I love you."

"I love you too Sequencee.."

'Sounds distant..'

They relished their meal in silence.

===

"It's a real bummer having to prepare for a fight," Shiro said, laying against the table.

"You'll finally get to show the world what you're capable of as a hero though?" Leticia said.

"It's plain troublesome you know? Just because we're heroes summoned from another world, it doesn't mean we're actually all that responsible," Risa responded with a lull.

"It's an inevitable part of being a hero.. isn't it?"

"That's why I hate it! And you know, big brother and I are also the last boss for the tournament. It's a surprise bonus that we haven't announced anywhere. The winner of the New Dawn Series gets to choose either one of us to fight against us, and if he loses, he loses the chance to become our accomplice. Nice right? We're dodging responsibility!"

"Is that even allowed? I thought the rumors say that the winner becomes temporary accomplices?"

"In the document, it says– no guarantee we will accept. We're using words as loopholes," Risa grinned. "Plus, we got permission from the organizer. Spices things up, he says."

"..."

Leticia looked at Shiro concerned. If her memory wassn't wrong, Shiro's ability wasn't quite high.

'Can he handle it?'

"I don't mean to brag, but big brother is super strong."

"Shiro is strong?"

"Yes, you'll know when you see it. He's not the same person you knew from last time," Risa grinned.

"You don't need to put it like that, you know?" Shiro sighed.

"But people keep putting you down, it's annoying!" Risa fummed.

It was at this moment that their instructor entered the class. They scampered back to their seats.

===

Leticia was on the way back home, Nynim and the rest of the gang in tow.

"Did the instructors say anything about when the tickets for the competition will be sold? The booths are not open yet, right?" Daizo asked.

"I'm sure they'd be hella expensive," Quora muttered.

"Perhaps Sequencee has an idea? He's a participant," Dorry said.

"I don't think so. Last time I asked about it, he said he didn't know," Leticia said.

They made it to the elevator lobby of the dormitory complex. Seeing the crowd of students waiting at the elevator, the group groaned.

"Why not have dinner somewhere? We'll come back later?" Nynim suggested.

"The cafeteria again? It's been a while since we checked what they have there."

"How about Mochi Corner?" Leticia suggested.

"Mochi Corner? That's quite far away isn't it..?"

"What a lazy walker.."

"You know Nynim, can't you just teleport back to the dormitory?"

"I can, why?"

"Like, you help put our items back, we'll wait for you at Mochi Corner or something."

"No way!"

It was a joke. They planned to eat at their dorm. They waited for their turn at the elevator lobby, and during the wait..

"What a coincidence."

"..."

'Why are you here?'

Leticia narrowed her eyes at this girl before her. Blazing red hair and violet coloured eyes– based on the way her brows were arched, this should be Azaleas.

"Your brother is concerned about you. I hope you don't take him too harshly," she said in a respectful tone. The others were a tad stunned by Azaleas' composure.

"If he truly was concerned, he wouldn't have pushed his ideas on me," Leticia shot back.

"Most of the ideas you assume are all made up in your mind. He had never once tried to force you to do anything."

"Not once?"

'Telling me that he'll drag me back to the count's territory is not considered forcing?'

The elevator came at this time, allowing them enough space to all enter. Azaleas also went in with them.

"Your brother never liked my sister."

"So?"

"Don't you want to help him regain his freedom?"

".. what do you mean by that?" Leticia glared at her.

"It's exactly as I say. I'm in the midst of breaking off their engagement.. Are you perhaps interested?" Azaleas smiled.

"I'm not interested, do what you want."

"You're quite stubborn."

'You don't say..?'

The elevator door opened. It was Azaleas' time to leave.

"Your involvement would make things much easier, but I can settle it fine even without your intervention. Understand that your decision here reflects the way you care for your brother. The way I see it, you're the one who doesn't care about your brother. Don't expect others to be selfless when you yourself are selfish."

Azaleas' final voice ran out as the door shut once more. The elevator resumed rising.

'I'm.. selfish..?'

Tears spilled from the corner of Leticia's eyes.

"Leticia.."

"Nynim.."

'My brother had always cared about me..? A lie.. its got to be a lie..'

Nynim held Leticia in her arms.