After lunch, there was a special assembly instead of the third period of class. It was held by the student council president since it was for the Seven Star Tournament.
"People are already talking about me..."
Ayato said.
Usually, he wouldn't care but this time was a misunderstanding. As much as he wanted to clear it, it didn't matter overall.
"By the way, are you fine sitting next to me?"
He asked Retsuya, who also was gaining a lot of scornful looks. It troubled Ayato since they were originally only meant to be for him.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
He said with a reassuring smile.
As for Miyako and the other girls, as much as he wanted to tell them about the artificial World Magician, Akane pressured him not to tell anyone.
It would be hard clearing the misunderstanding.
[Hello, hello! It's me again, Kiara Kyouya, your student council president!]
Kiara walked onto the stage with a microphone in hand.
[I'm here to talk to you all about the Seven Star Tournament!]
Some students still didn't know. Ayato clicked his tongue when he saw his sister's smile. Retsuya noticed Ayato's annoyance.
"What's wrong?"
"My sister is planning to put me in the tournament."
Retsuya blinked in confusion.
"Of course, she will. You're a World Magician now. Not putting you in would be a waste, even I have to say."
"I know that but she's planning to use me as some sort of scapegoat. She's going to mention the fire and then redirect everyone's attention onto me."
The red-haired boy chuckled half-heartedly.
"No way..."
[...you now. The tournament is in two weeks and is over the course of 7 days. Now, for the reason as to why we're doing the tournament now.]
With a mischievous grin, Kiara turned to Ayato, who sat at the very back.
"You're not brother and sister for nothing."
"I know,"
A spotlight shone on Ayato, who leaned against his seat.
[For some context, it's okay if I tell everyone, right?]
"You're going to anyway, even if I say no."
Ayato said to her. Kiara's nose flared in anticipation.
[The fire in Kyoto was caused because some idiot tortured someone very close to Ayato to death. In retaliation, he burned the place down along with that someone. Upon analysis, the Mage Association decided to make him a World Magician. In other words...]
The spotlight became red.
[He will be the ace of our team. Since we haven't been on the podium for the last 13 years, Ayato is the edge that we'll need.]
She was right but others didn't want to admit it, especially the older students. However, with Ayato's announcement as a World Magician, he would be bound to be restrictions placed on him in the events that he participates in.
[Now, aside from him, this team will consist of primarily second years and third years with one other first year, other than Ayato.]
The spotlight disappeared, appearing on the other side of the room.
[Rika Kasai, a skilled magician. She came first in the entrance exams.]
The girl blushed as others clapped for her. She bowed her head multiple times.
"They're not scared being fucking brats, am I right?"
Ayato commented.
The clear fact that they clapped for her and not for him showed their opinions and attitude. It vexed him how open they were about it.
[Now, I'll announce the names of the second and third years attending the Seven Star Tournament. They're...]
·———·
After the assembly, those called met in the student council meeting room. There were twenty people in total. Everyone stared at Ayato, who was being pampered by Yukina. She laid her head against his shoulder and spoke her fantasies to herself.
"Arrogant rat..."
Someone spoke.
"Huh? What was that? Why don't you speak louder, Senpai?"
Ayato asked. It was indeed rude behaviour but it was uncalled for how the senior insulted him.
Kiara sat in her seat.
"Well, now, let's start the meeting."
"Before that,"
A third year student said, looking over at Ayato, who was relaxing. The senior's name was Riku Sasaki, the heir to the Sasaki Family, one of the Seven Great Families.
"Don't worry, I won't participate. You guys seem to have some sort of grudge against me."
Ayato said.
"Hah?!"
Kiara rose from her seat and slammed the table. All of the students looked away, excluding a few. Riku looked Kiara in the eye.
"Personally, Kiara, I want your brother in the tournament. I know you're not the one to be favourable, even to your sibling but I want to represent the majority here."
She glared at the others.
"Are you really all that pathetic? All blinded by your pride. Last year, when Hozuki-senpai was here, you all supported him. Just because my brother is a first year, you don't want him to participate?"
Kiara was honestly disgusted. She couldn't believe the egos of those who were supposed to be her teammates.
"Honestly, you all...! I thought you wanted to win!"
"But he's so cocky!"
One student began talking.
"It's like he's disrespecting all of us!"
The student council president narrowed her eyes in disgust.
"Takaomi, weren't you the one who bullied freshmen in the first week? You're lucky you're even on this team. What? You can't bear it if someone younger is stronger than you?"
"Kiara, it's fine."
Ayato said. He didn't want his sister's reputation to take a hit because of him.
"I won't participate but I still want to go to the tournament."
"You brat! You expect us to grant your wish after you decide not to participate."
A second year student spoke. Yukina was losing her patience but she held back because Ayato didn't look troubled.
"Tell me, why do you think Kiara wants me on the team so much? You can tell me, can't you, Senpai?"
He addressed the boy who sat in front of him. The junior was startled.
"Uhm... Well, uhm..."
He thought for a little bit.
"Because... you're very strong?"
"Yes,"
He turned to the others who were scowling at him.
"I have no offence toward the ones who haven't glared at me, Riku-senpai and Kiara. However, to the rest of you, the reason my sister wants me on the team is because you all can't win against the other schools."
Takaomi slammed the table.
"Shut up!"
"You're not ready to accept the fact that I'm the strongest of all of you. She knows that without me, our loss is indefinite. I don't know what to say about my complacent attitude. If I don't act complacent, then I feel like I have no place in this world..."
He said, trailing into a whisper. Ayato looked at Kiara.
"So, if you don't want me to participate, I won't. Just let me go to the tournament. What will other schools and our students think if I don't go? A World Magician at your disposal yet you don't use him."
"Fucking...!"
Takaomi leapt across the table and primed his fist at Ayato. Yukina was the swiftest to move. She grabbed his arm and pulled him over the table, slamming him on the ground.
"I was being nice but I'm over it now. Stay still like the good dog you are."
She pulled on his arm.
"Ahhhh!"
"Stand down, Yukina."
Riku ordered. She let go of Takaomi and sat back down in her seat.
'People always get so sensitive when I say the truth. Why?'
Ayato couldn't understand people. He told Miyako the truth, yet she got angry at him. It was the same with Takaomi. He wasn't trying to sound provocative, he was only giving them a perspective of how others would think of them if they didn't bring Ayato along.
Kiara sighed and sat down. She wasn't in a good mood.
"Fine,"
She reluctantly spoke.
"Let's finally start our first debriefing on the Seven Star Tournament..."
She was unenthusiastic. Kiara believed that Auralia Magic High School could no longer win. Not without Ayato. After all, Hortensia Magic High School existed. A school with four powerhouse magicians.