Some that we need to watch out for

Even if their momentum was destroyed, they entered the venue without hesitation, and they also didn't lack confidence since no one thought that they were lower than any of them, especially when their school had won twice in the Nine Schools Competition. They looked over the venue and could see a lot of people had gathered inside.

On the other hand, the people inside also observed the group from the First High School since they were all famous, from Mayumi, Mari, and Juumonji, who was known as the Triumvirate.

As for Haru, well, unlike in the school, he wasn't that famous since most of his identity was hidden by the Rokkaku clan.

As for Miyuki, the moment she entered, she gathered everyone's attention instantly, showing how lovely and beautiful she was. Without a doubt, she was a very beautiful girl. However, Haru didn't really have much interest in her, and rather, he was looking around curiously, wondering whether there was a beautiful girl.

Haru looked around, and his eyes stopped when he saw a lovely girl from Third High School. This girl had long blonde hair and purple eyes, and there was this arrogant and prideful expression on her face. Even though he had never talked about his type of girl, he had always loved a girl with a bad personality. Some people might not understand his type of girl, but he just couldn't get enough when they started to show fondness and adoration toward their loved ones. The gap between the cold and the warm and their awkward personality was something that made him smile.

However...

"What's wrong, Miyuki, Suzune-senpai?" Haru asked calmly.

"Nothing." 2x

Miyuki and Suzune shook their heads at the same time.

"Stay beside me, all the time, alright?" Suzune said.

"Un." Haru nodded without hesitation. Even though he wanted to approach the girl before, he knew that he needed to think about Suzune's feelings first.

"So which girl are you interested in? Is it that blonde girl from the Third High School?" Suzune asked.

"...Did it seem that way?" Haru asked with some speechless expression.

Suzune nodded without hesitation.

"...."

"Of course, I'm only interested in you, Senpai," Haru said with a smile.

"...If I didn't know, then I might have fallen for your trick." Suzune then held Haru's hand and pulled him to the nearby table. "Let's just eat so you won't do anything bad." As for the other girls that had entered before, they walked around, scattered talking, with various people to familiarize themselves.

Haru looked at Suzune and said, "In truth, I'm looking at our opponents that we need to watch out for."

"Oh?" Suzune looked at Haru with interest.

"As for the male competitors, what we need to watch out for is both Ichijou Masaki and Kichijouji Shinkurou. I don't need to explain about Ichijou since he's the heir of the Ichijou family, and as for Kichijou..."

"I know him. He's known as the "Cardinal George" for discovering one of the Cardinal Codes, right?" Suzune said while looking at Haru.

"Um." Haru nodded and didn't feel that surprised when Suzune knew about George since George was fairly famous.

"So, what do you think of his theory?" Suzune asked.

"It's a good theory, but it is wrong," Haru said.

"Huh? Really?" Suzune was surprised.

Cardinal Codes is the name given to the 16 fundamental Magic Sequences that are postulated by the 'Cardinal Code Hypothesis.' This theory states that there are 16 fundamental Magic Sequences, from the Four Great Systems and Eight Major Types with the corresponding positive and negative poles. The theory states that any magic from the Four Great Systems can be recreated by using various combinations.

However, in truth, there are spells within the Four Great Systems that cannot be recreated using the Cardinal Codes. They do exist as building blocks, but not every magic can be recreated, so this theory is incorrect.

"..." Listening to Haru's explanation, Suzune had to admit that this guy was too smart, right? If they had children in the future, then, without doubt, their children would be very smart, right?

Haru looked at Ichijou for a moment and had to admit that every talented magician would be either beautiful or handsome, so it was normal for their appearance to be better than most of the people, as for Tatsuya? He was really wondering why Tatsuya's face was quite ordinary, but it might be because of the author's plot or something, but he didn't care much.

"How about the girl's side?" Suzune asked.

"Then it should be that girl," Haru said while looking in the direction of the blonde-haired girl that he was interested in.

"So who is she?' Suzune asked since she wasn't familiar with the girl that was pointed out by Haru.

The girl noticed that she was being watched by both Haru and Suzune. She then saw them smiling at them and nodded gently, which made her nod at them too.

"Airi, what's wrong?"

The girl looked at her friend and asked, "By the way, that young man, is he the one?"

"...It should be?"

Haru could hear the conversation with the girl, but he didn't care much and continued to talk with Suzune. "That girl's name is Isshiki Airi."

"Isshiki Airi?" Suzune looked at Haru curiously and had expected something.

"Yes." Haru nodded and explained. "You might have already guessed it, but she's coming from the Isshiki family, which is one of the 18 Assistant Houses. As for their magic, if I'm not wrong, it should be "lightning."

"Lightning?" Suzune looked at Haru curiously.

"Lightning is a spell that uses magic to perceive information that can be recognized and directly used without intervention from the brain and nervous system in order to directly move the body and spirit." Haru explained and said, "In conclusion, her reaction speed is scary."

"Hmm..." Suzune nodded, but then her hand was held by Haru. "Haru?"

"I'm here."

Haru was sure that even though Suzune didn't care much about both the Ichijou and the Isshiki family, there must be some bitterness in her heart. After all, their magics were similar to each other, but the public treated them differently.

Suzune smiled and rubbed her face against his shoulder. "You don't need to worry. I'm alright."

"....I'm living alone in my room after I have set up the CAD, should we...?" Haru asked in a whisper.

Suzune blushed and slapped his arm directly. "Pay attention to the occasion!"

Haru rubbed his arm and smiled bitterly.

"Cough! Cough! Would you like a drink?"

Haru and Suzune turned around and saw Erika, who was in maid uniform. He was surprised and couldn't help but attack, but suddenly he felt that his feet were being stepped on.

"Yes, please." Suzune smiled while stepping onto Haru's feet gently.

Erika smiled and gave both of them a drink.

"Is this your part-time job, Erika?" Haru asked.

"Um, what do you think?" Erika asked.

"You're very cute." Haru nodded and asked, "So Tatsuya and Leo also work too?"

"Un." Erika nodded and said, "They're working behind the scenes." Then she glanced at Suzune and said, "By the way, when we meet later, do you want me to wear this uniform?"

"..." Haru and Suzune.

"I don't really mind." Haru nodded.

Erika smiled and said, "Well, I'll wear this for you later. Then I'll continue my job first!"

When Erika left, Suzune asked, "Do you like maids that much?"

"Yes."

"...."

Haru looked at Suzune and asked, "You're not asking the reason why I have asked her to meet me?"

"Well, even if I want to stop you, it is impossible. After all, just take care of your health. I have heard that it won't be good if you do too much activity at a young age," Suzune said with a smile.

"...." The corner of Haru's lips twitched and said, "You don't need to worry about it. My body will always be very healthy and powerful even if I become a grandpa in the future, so be prepared in the future too, Suzune..."

Suzune blushed and felt that her body was scorching.

"Cough! Cough! Can you not flirt here?" Mari said with some embarrassment, even though Haru and Suzune talked to each other quietly, she felt quite bitter when she saw them talking to each other like this.

"Well, then just join us, and we're talking about which contestants might cause a threat in the competition," Suzune said calmly.

"Huh? Really?" Mari asked in doubt, but suddenly her words stopped since there was an announcement from the organizer.

"Silence, please. We're going to welcome the arrival of our guests now. Good evening to you, all students of the Magic High Schools. We shall be honored to receive a speech from the head of the committee for the Nine Schools Competition."

Haru drank the grape juice on his glass in one gulp while looking in the direction of the stadium.

"Next, the person who was once recognized as the strongest in the world, who has been kindly supporting the Nine Schools Competition after stepping aside from the front lines 20 years ago. We shall be honored to receive this word from his majesty, Retsu Kudo."

'Retsu Kudo, huh?' Haru knew this person since Retsu was Maya's teacher.

Everyone was surprised, but they were also excited since Retsu Kudo was a legendary magician in this country, but they were dumbfounded when the one who stepped on the podium was a woman.

Everyone was confused, and all of their attention was focused on this woman, but suddenly a glass was thrown in the direction of the woman, but if someone looked closely, then they would notice that it was aimed at the person behind the woman.

Everyone was so focused on the woman that they didn't realize the glass that was thrown broke when it was hit by someone behind the woman.

The woman, who stood on the podium, was stunned and subconsciously protected herself. Her movement caused everyone to feel strange until they saw a hand that caught the glass from behind the woman, which made them stunned since they didn't realize the existence of this person from the beginning to the end.

"What do you mean by this?" The person from behind the woman asked while looking in the direction of one person.

Everyone was stunned when they saw this person since this person was Retsu Kudo!