Sword, Magic and Academic Society-Chapter 274Vol. 1 - - Freshmen Welcome Event (3)

"Hmm, the power balance between two chances is not compelling enough, and mages are at disadvantage. Hey, newcomers, feel free to use emission magic!"

Old man, you do realise the spell could fly anywhere?!

Godorfun gave off a buddha-like smile, but his actions were nothing short of Ashura.

"Sensei?! Wooah!"

Viz tried to object, but he didn't get the opportunity and was cut off by the unrestrained use of magic.

"Fuhahaha! Since you've taken care of your juniors, might as well go all in. Make best use of this moment, orientation isn't running away."

Rias-sensei was frequently checking the time, but with Godorfun's meddle, she gave up, shaking her head at the situation. Instead, she then began to urge the guards and failed candidates—they'd been watching the situation with concerned gazes—to leave the premises.

◆◆◆

Viz managed to hold his ground.

It was a narrow space, so typically one would expect for the match to be immediately settled with magic being allowed. Atleast, I was sure I would've long been captured. Tch, his movements are getting better.

In addition to touring, I felt as if he also had lost some screws in his head. Was it the side-effect from the thief incident at Eclair?

He would drive through the front stairs if it meant narrowly avoiding the incoming spells. He truly was living by paper breadth margin. The seniors, who had been gleefully watching the little challenge between senior and junior, found themselves similarly in surprise at Viz's exceptional driving skill.

Godorfun initially watched with a benevolent-ish smile, as if he was unfazed by nothing, but seeing as how no newcomer managed to lend a single scratch, he lost his patience and jumped down from the window of the third floor, personally guiding them. Viz still managed to hold his ground.

Perhaps he had given up, Godorfun was stroking his beard with a complicated expression. The newcomers also began to drop like flies as their mana ran out.

I, too, was exasperated by the situation as I watched quietly. Amidst that, Fey, giggling, approached me.

"You sure know how to take a revenge, Allen. But I am astonished mana vehicles are capable of such intricate movements. It's definitely going to be a talk of the town. Some will definitely try to compare with regular army's cavalry."

"...Of course, there would. I don't care what they've to say in comparison, but I do hope they know Viz isn't a rule, but an exception. Do not expect to have such expertise like him just by learning the rules. Words alone aren't enough to explain the marvel of his natural talent."

I truthfully replied, though Fey chuckled.

"Heh, natural disposition, you say? Well, I believe this is the same as an individual's skill making the horse rider. I heard Viz had been training for quite a while for a moment like this. What're you selling in your gourd now, hmm?"

Her feline-like eyes shone in curious glint. ...Argh, not that again. Frankly, whenever she wore that business-like expression, with only her lips curling into a polite smile, I had never found myself able to dodge her questioning.

In that case, I might as well reveal now.

"......It's to bring the new hire."

"New hire? It's quite an unfamiliar word. Is this some kind of new fad to welcome students I haven't heard of?"

Fey's tone was largely tepid as she asked. I shook my head in deliberate exasperation.

"It's to invite, not welcome, them to our club. Neither of you truly understand the gravity of headhunting talents, do you? The academy has seen an array of new clubs rising up last year, but there had never been more than hundred students passed every year. Is this not clear enough?"

This was the overall reason for my today's objective to set up a scene. Back in Japan, each year, right after enrollment, there would be a fierce headhunting for club members. Even I, who had only attended a prestigious, private academy then, had witnessed scenes brimming with passion and desperation.

Of course, after being drilled that clubs were nothing more than another avenue of debauched students to waste their life by my parents, I had been a strict 'go-home' club student for four years.

But I still remember that one moment where the tennis club's senpai invited me to their club, even though I was no more than a gloomy kid. In that moment, she was so dazzling like a second sun in the sky. She was too blinding for me to cast my gaze.

Anyway, I had been hoping to enjoy the headhunting for the club with everyone, and this was why I had asked them to gather at the front stairs. Alas, nothing went according to my plan. Instead, I was made like some hawker doing an advertisement, and then the brunt of my disappointment was shouldered by Viz.

"A picture is worth thousands of words. The freshmen have now seen the wind of change that will affect the future of this kingdom. I bet Dui's club is going to see an unprecedented surge. Meanwhile, the one failing in bringing new blood had no future. Just know that even while you're taking it easy, a battle is concluded somewhere."

It wasn't exactly the scene I had envisioned, but I decided to fan the pride of my classmates.

"......You know, Allen. I think you're crediting Dui for more than what it's worth. And anyway, the Mana Vehicle Club shouldn't have capacity for that many people either."

Fey asked back, a sharp glint dwelling into her eyes.

"It's not a problem. There has been a plan for two-wheeler mana vehicles to put on sale starting this summer for general sale. Just this spring, they'd held a large-scale advertisement, as well as a testing trial to experience it themselves. After today, we might see some seniors picking interest in it. I am seeing at least a club of thirty people, including mechanics. Just the students of Royal Academy running through the streets of Royal Capital would be the biggest advertisement in itself."

Surely, we would then see a spike in people fascinated by the idea of the journey of youth. Ah, the group of like-minded fellas aimlessly following the wind on our bikes... I couldn't wait for that. Just as I was entranced by the prospect of the future, Kate's eyes widened like a saucer at the news.

"T-They're putting them for sale, much less to the general public too?! I will be frank, this is far more of a cutting-edge technology than being put into streets. I can't imagine putting them for sale just for earning—"

"Make no misunderstanding, Kate. The entire R&D had been done without an iota of Yuglia's support, and I am earning not a single ria no matter how many they manage to sell. Besides, in the earlier stage, it's definitely going to be a pricey commodity. And horses still have the advantage in travelling. I believe the buzz would be limited."

After all, the trick to successfully make progress in complex projects like this was to make sure it didn't end up 'one person victory.' I would be content as long as there was an increase in like-minded crowds. I just despised the idea of fighting over rights just to monopolise it, and I had kept it away from that.

I had no doubt once this project was acquired by someone selfish, they would absolutely hinder the advancement of mana vehicles.

"There are still many avenues that need to be looked after before the two-wheelers can truly become an aspect of society. And making it public was the fastest way to expand the activity and tackle challenges. Where there is profit, there would be humans and gold. It's a tale as old as time."

I paused there, shifting my gaze to the scenery outside of the wind, and remarked, "There's not enough time, and I am not going to let anyone interfere."