Black Iron Magician

In the yard of the house, Haru is training with her new black staff. The length, weight, and length of the blade are all different from what she was used to. No matter how good Haru is, it will take time to get used to it.

「Hmph! Haah!」

At the time of swinging the black staff, it’s looking good to some extent. The wind is roaring, ‘whoosh whoosh’. After that, the initial movement and sharpness of the technique, and most importantly, the effort not to kill the opponent.

…… Well, the opponent is just an ordinary student after all. If they directly take the hit from this dangerous weapon, they will die. This is a weapon for fighting against Chinatsu or against Therese, and other than that, I’m thinking of having her fighting only with magic like a magician. Well, even so, it’s still going to be an easy victory for her. Sorry students, there will be only one winner. Kuhaha.

「Phew. Shishō, how was it? How was my 『Doggan Staff』 handling!?」

「Hmm? Ah, yeah. I think you are getting pretty good at it. But seriously, are you going to name that staff Dogan Staff?」

「Yes! It’s cute, isn’t it~?」

Ah, Haru’s smile is dazzling. It was yesterday that she named this black staff. When we were about to return after receiving it, Gan-san said something like this,

『While we are at it, why don’t you give it a name? It’s your partner that will fight together from now on. If it has a name, you will be more attached to it.』

Many people give their beloved swords names, and most of them never fail to take care of their weapons. It’s the staff version of that, I guess. Haru stood there for about ten minutes, working her head while groaning. As I, Gan-san, and Anita began to drink with such Haru as the entertainment, Haru announced it as Doggan Staff as if she just came up with a good name. Doggan Staff, huh. When Gan-san heard that, he had this indescribable look on him, and Anita was enduring her laughter.

By the way, it seems that the official name of this staff, which Gan-san first named, was 『Black Staff Wrath』. The name was changed boldly, huh.

――――Flap flap.

「Hm?」

I heard the sound of a bird’s wings flapping from the sky. Oh, it’s the post service. A seagull-like white bird wearing a small hat stopped on my arm and handed me a letter in its beak. This country has a state-owned post service, and they train birds to carry mail like this. If it’s a light thing such as a letter, the seagull-like bird can carry it. The tamer who started this business sure has a good point of view.

「Yes, thank you.」

「Kuwaa」

After I received the letter, the bird made a small cry and went back to the sky to deliver the next letter.

「Bird-san’s post service is convenient, isn’t it~? If Gan-san makes flyers and distributes them, people will come to his shop, right?」

「The printing and distribution cost too much. Besides, if his shop gets crowded, I’ll be troubled. Also, that Doggan Staff won’t be able to be repaired readily, you know?」

「T-That’s a problem, but… I thought it was a good idea.」

Yeah, sudden changes are not good. I hope that Gan-san will remain unknown for the rest of his life.

「By the way, where did the letter come from?」

「Let’s see. It’s a letter for you from the academy. Did they send you a formal letter of approval to attend the graduation festival? Here, you open it.」

「Ye~s. Let’s see what’s inside.」

Ah, this girl used the blade of her Doggan Staff as a paper knife. To think that she can handle it to that extent… Hmph, not bad.

「… Let’s see. There is one sheet of paper with the text that allows me to participate in the graduation festival, and another sheet of paper with the schedule of the event.」

「Hee, so the schedule has already arrived, huh. So, are there any important points written on it?」

「The date has been changed. It looks like it’s been moved up much earlier than originally planned. The date is four days later.」

Hm? Four days later? I knew they would speed up the date, but they sure did their best, huh. The parents of the students won’t be able to make it in time, will they?

「Four days later, huh… With our feet, we can arrive within a day. But, just to be sure, we will leave the day after tomorrow. After all, we won’t know what kind of trouble we may have on the way.」

「Something like a griffon? With my Doggan Staff, I can take it down with a single blow this time!」

「Yeah, I’m counting on you.」

Well, if there is, it will be man-made trouble. That itself will be training, and she will have a good practice partner. I want her to show the power of Doggan Staff there since it will have a few turns in the graduation festival. Don’t worry, I’m not good at cleaning, but I’m good at post-treatment.

「If Haru received this letter, then Chinatsu must have received the same one. I’ll ask her about her schedule later.」

「Ah, that’s right. Chinatsu got a new staff, right? Then, how about showing each other’s staves? I’m very interested in her new weapon!」

「Ah, about that… Haru’s Doggan Staff and Chinatsu’s new staff will be kept secret from each other until the day of the graduation festival. I’ve already got the consent from Nell, so it’s a done deal.」

「Ehh, why!?」

「Why, you ask? It’s easy to forget, but Chinatsu is also an enemy at the graduation festival, you know? Having trained together with you, enduring my unreasonableness, and training under Nell, she’s your strongest rival in a sense. Haru, do you ever deliberately reveal your cards before an important match?」

「No, I won’t…」

For Haru, Chinatsu’s position is probably a friend since a long time ago. Can Haru use all of her power against her best friend? …… No, it’s a stupid question. She can. This girl definitely can. Whether it’s her parents’ enemy, a saint, or a child, once she is hostile at them, she will do it equally. Rather, I’m worried about Chinatsu, who has been on Haru’s side. She has the talent, though.

「Well, just keep that in mind. Well, keep that in mind. If Chinatsu is your opponent, you are willing to use your Doggan Staff, right?」

「Yes! The rule this time is non-killing, so I think Chinatsu will be fine!」

Ahh, I have a feeling that Chinatsu’s worry is going to increase again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, at the same time, the Knight Order Headquarters is open for business at Chinatsu’s Troubles Consultation Office.

「Achoo!」

Chinatsu was sneezing loudly.

「Hm? Chinatsu-dono, do you have a cold?」

「N-No, my health care should be perfect… Someone might be gossiping about me.」

「I’m sure the knights are all talking about you. That our Goddess is going to participate in the graduation festival of Adelheit Magic Academy!」

「Goddess… What kind of treatment is that…?」

「We magic knights are completely meritocratic without taking our social standing into account! Therefore, there are many people who just train themselves and are ignorant of the love affair. Until now, the woman we got involved with was only Knight Leader, so we are really grateful for the existence of Chinatsu-dono who listens to our worries. Like, our hearts are being cleansed?」

「I-I see… Um, before that, is that story has already spread widely?」

「At least, everyone in this headquarters knows about it. The source of the information is Nell-danchō, and the one who spread the rumor is Muno. After all, he was walking around, bragging about what he heard from her.」

「M-Muno-san…」

Chinatsu’s worry was already accumulating.

「By the way, Chinatsu-dono. I’ve been thinking about a tan-skinned girl I’ve seen around lately. I’m wondering if I should convey this feeling directly or start as a friend――」

「………」