A week has passed. Sitting up and stretching, I reached for the brass set on the table, "5 in the morning ... Did I get up early today?", I wondered. Oh, that's right, this is the start of phase 2. Looking out the window, the dew that remained from last night's rain still clung to the leaves. The scenery was peaceful, the small rays of dawn gradually revealed, gilded with clouds early in the sky, though not for the first time, but somehow I saw it every time I saw it. "Not for the first time ... what?", Weirdly, why am I thinking like that, I haven't even seen the morning sun since I came to this world. Isn't it from the memory I've lost, or is it something I don't know, does it exist? Throwing away that thought, I decided to take a few walks around the neighborhood. At this time, the atmosphere was as busy as usual replaced with tranquility, surrounded by only a few restaurants are starting to open, welcoming patrons specializing in buying in the early morning. While I was still wandering around looking around, someone tapped my arm with my finger. Looking back, it was Yumi, who seemed to be shopping in the morning as she was holding a small basket.
-Good morning, Kazuto! Are you shopping too?
-Yumi, I'm just walking. What did you buy?
-This is .... well ... that's ..... a secret.
The winking wink, blushing cheeks, and the mischievous smile that reminds me of ... Sakura? "Who is it?" At this moment some vague images appeared in my mind, the feeling of that person being strangely familiar with me. But in the end who is it? Is it proof that I was someone who first came to this world?
-What's wrong? Kazuto, you don't look well.
-Well ... it's okay, just because ... the sun makes me dazzle.
Even though it was a lie, it was true that the morning sunlight was shining in my eyes, so it somehow saved me so that Yumi would not suspect it. I then tried changing the topic to a question and what it led to was enough to give me a headache and regret.
-What ... why are you ... different today? His manner of talking was not the same as always.
-That .... it's just that I'm trying to change ... so .....
Returning to her usual timid style, Yumi clasped her hands together in a puzzled manner as to what to say next.
-You don't need to answer either. Besides, I like you more like normal.
-He?
-Hum? Why do you look so surprised? I just said I ... like ....
At this point, I realized that I had come up with a very confusing word, especially in this situation. But now that it's finally over, I can't take it back, so the only thing I can do now is try to explain so that things won't get messed up.
-It's not what you think Yumi. Yes, I do, no, I mean, I feel better for you like that, no ... no, I mean ...
-I remember there's something I have to do ... so ... so ... let me go first.
-Drr ... wait a minute, Yumi ....
Yumi's face turned red like a tomato, she ran away and left me, who was still helplessly explaining in vain. By noon that day, when we were taken to Parasis Valley, the stage 2 of the selection, I still didn't see Yumi. But anyway, I still have to focus on the front, that's winning. Although my determination was not originally from me, I did not want to disappoint my teammates. After waiting for a long time under the hot summer sun, Mr. Haruma and Mr. Gaido, who were in charge of our group, moved forward.
-We're here to spread the rules and keep track of you guys, so I forbid to talk while I talk.
-Hey Gaido, why do you look so hard today?
-I ... it's not difficult at all.
Turning around to see Haruma, Gaido-sensei widened his eyes to look so scary that Haruma-sensei was even afraid.
-So something happened?
- Misuko ...
-Pac fish ..?
-..... Use magic to pour water on me and it sounds cool. If I meet again I will definitely bind and throw it to feed the monsters.
-Ha ... ha ... No wonder you are so wet. Maybe you should take a break and let me tell the kids the rules.
After that, Mr. Haruma explained to us about the second stage. Specifically, this time each group will start at the 4 edges of Parasis, when starting, all 4 teams will go to the center to take a small board with signs. statue of the kingdom, the ticket that took the victorious team to the arena of Rome. In addition, we also have to choose the leader of the group, who will have to wear a bracelet with a jewel that weakens the wearer's magic. If that bracelet breaks, that team will be disqualified.
-Let's see .... so you'll be ...
-No, let me wear that bracelet. Even if the optical system magic is weak, it's hard to tell the difference.
-If you say so, I won't stop you.
Then a barrage of artillery fire from the center of the valley signaled that the battle for a ticket to the arena of Rome began. As discussed earlier, Kaito used a magic to create a sliding stone floor on the ground to take us away. Although it will drain your magic power pretty much, we will be faster than the other teams. Besides, this is a very large place, so meeting with other teams early on is impossible, unless .... At that moment, an arrow flew towards us with amazing speed, But still, Mr. Haya broke it in half.
-Haizz! Just as he was concerned.
-So is this Togabe's team?
-My luck is right for us.
Togabe, a classmate of Haya, a rare talent. Possesses eyes that are very far-sighted and can track down the opponent using magic that senses the smallest wind. According to Haya, they were the hardest team to beat for us. After a quiet period of silence without any movement, Kaito suddenly slowed down.
-Why Kaito?
-It seems ... something is moving underground.
-Under the ground? Duplicate...
-Danger!
Rin shouted, and on top of that he whirled the spear like a pinwheel to block the pointed tip of the "runway" rushing towards us, but the force of the impact from the impact caused us to knock out. In the middle of the air, Haya was grabbed and pulled away by a sharp chain. Then the driver of the same chain from the runway jumped on Haya's back and made him hit the ground hard. It was Rena's sister from class 2-B. Although we wanted to help, the three of us froze our feet as soon as we landed. Approaching us were 2 people with water magic, Saiyaki from class 3-C and Todoki from class 2-A.
-Hello, Haya, we met again in this situation, but this time ... I ... was ... on.
-...
-Hum? Nothing that he fainted then, weak.
{Rumble} The huge explosion I created to escape from the ice has distracted Rena's sister. Using that opportunity, Haya summoned the short sword in her right hand, rotating in a round that made Rena back away. Then using a fireball to force Rena to dodge to the right, Haya escapes the chain, grabbing Rena's left hand and holding the short sword to her neck.
-Because people rape!
-Really ... this girl. I was kidding in the middle of the match.
-Hihi, that way I will ... caught off guard.
-Oh!
Togabe's arrow flew so Haya had to dodge. Because of that, Rena was free to move. The chain came flying, wrapped around Haya's neck, making him stand still if he didn't want to be pulled. But it turned him into the "fresh" target of Togabe. This time, up to 3 arrows came flying, because it was only possible to block a maximum of 2 so Haya risked, rushing towards Rena.
-He? Don't ... come close.
Unexpectedly, this would happen, so while Rena was about to run away from the second chain. And because of using heat magic on the link near the neck to make it flexible, Haya was able to cut off the chain.
-Don't think this kid is easy to eat.
Rena summons two new chains, twirling them around her hands and holding two sharp points like two knives. As soon as Haya approached, a heated battle ensued between the two of them. Then Haya crossed her left hand and slashed upwards from the bottom, the sound of metal rang as the blade hit the chain on Rena's right hand. Stabbing the left-hand knife forward, the blade grazed Haya's cheek. When Rena was in a fixed movement, Haya released the short sword in her left hand, grabbed Rena's right wrist, then he turned his legs, wrapped around his back and "locked" Rena's hand, then pressed. the short sword in his right hand to his back.
-Make a move and get stabbed.
-Oh, I don't know how to give up girls.
-This is a real battle, not a practice.
-At all times .... eu!
-What is this!?
The ground suddenly shook violently, and then gradually spread out. Emerging from below was a rock, no, it was something of stone and shaped like a human.
-1 Guardian !?