Lunamaria, who is participating in the main tournament of the Maid Olympia for the first time, faced her opponent in the hall with slight nervousness.
"Well then, let's move on to the third match of the main tournament, the match between Competitor Lunamaria and Competitor Anne. Competitor Lunamaria has participated in this tournament for the first time, and even though she has only been a maid for less than 10 years, she has reached Maid Power of 52,000, so it can be said that she's a promising rising star in the future. On the other hand, Competitor Anne is a talented maid who has the Super Maid of Technique, Competitor Alexandra as a teacher, and has a respectable 6th Place in the previous tournament. With a Maid Power of 81,000... Competitor Anne is considerably superior in this match-up, isn't she?"
"Yes, but a maid's battle isn't determined by their Maid Power alone. I'm expecting it will be a good match with both sides showing their full potential."
The Live Commentary briefly introduces both competitors, while Ein, giving exposition to the events, concluded the commentary. The next step is to choose the match. In the main tournament of Maid Olympia, the content of matches is unknown until just before the match.
The competition will be held at random, and the participants will compete in a competition randomly selected through a magic tool.
"Well then, it's time we decide the match with our magic tool. Today's match will be... ."
As the method of competition was decided and the staff brought in a kitchen containing various cooking tools and a great number of ingredients, Lunamaria was thinking about the competition. Although this is her first time participating, she has watched past Maid Olympias and has some knowledge of how competitions are fought.
(If I'm not mistaken, when it comes to "Making-type" matches, there was some kind of restriction attached to it.)
As if to confirm her thoughts, a can of tea was placed in front of Lunamaria and Anne.
"Now then, I'm going to announce the subject for this match. You are to create a pastry that goes well with the tea placed in front of you. However, you are not allowed to brew the tea, but only to look at the tea leaves. Without further ado, let the third match... begin!"
With that voice, Lunamaria opens the tea can and checks the color and smell of the tea leaves.
(...Highly distinct aroma, probably flavored tea. From its aroma... A sweet type... Its kind...)
A difficult task to determine the type of tea by relying on tea leaves and making sweets that would match it. While Lunamaria was narrowing down the answers as to what this tea could be, her opponent, Anne, was already starting to select her ingredients.
[Wha!? So fast!]
[...You are still inexperienced. Winning like this would leave a bad taste to the tongue... It's a sweet-flavored tea. This is a seasonal special from Symphonia Kingdom... Explore the varieties for yourself.]
[ ! ? ]
[What are you surprised about? It's true that the numbers of your Maid Power don't determine the outcome of a match, but the higher one's Maid Power is, the higher their skill as a maid was... Understanding that I am overwhelmingly superior to you, desperately struggle for victory.]
After telling her words of advice to Lunamaria, Anne moved on to the selection of ingredients.
(...Season Special!? I see, a special blend made in honor of commemoratory events... Indeed, if it's among them... I see! This was made to commemorate the completion of Symphonia Kingdom's Trading City... However, to have known that in just a moment!? S- She's strong...)
It was a special blend that existed in Symphonia Kingdom, and Lunamaria, who lived in Symphonia Kingdom, would have had a greater information advantage. However, Anne had realized the identity of the tea leaves far earlier than Lunamaria, and on the contrary, she had also guessed Lunamaria's misunderstandings.
Feeling a cold sweat running down her face, even though she was lagging behind, Lunamaria also began selecting her ingredients.
(The tea leaves have a strong sweetness. Then, the pastry to go with it should be less sweet. Baked sweets would have been the standard match-up with it... but it's hard to win with that. What should I do...)
As Anne is by far the better maid, Lunamaria's defeat would be inevitable if she proceeds to make her pastries as usual. However, that doesn't mean this would be a task that she can manage through just by doing something out of the ordinary.
Feeling helpless against the huge wall that stands in her path, Lunamaria moved her gaze to the audience and exchanged looks with Lilia, who was looking at her.
(...What in the world am I being so weak-minded about? The difference between our Maid Power is only about 30,000... It's not a difference that can't be overturned!)
Lunamaria, with a smile on her face, looked at Anne with eyes filled with strength. Thereupon, Anne, who noticed her gaze, stopped her hand that was choosing ingredients and turned her curious gaze to Lunamaria.
[...Those are good eyes. It's as if they're completely different from how it was just before.]
[I can't afford to lose. No matter how superior you are... For Milady who came to the venue just to see me and who believed in my victory and cheered me on... I can't let myself look unsightly in front of my best friend!!!]
[That is...]
With a strong declaration, Lunamaria's body emitted a pale glow, and witnessing this, her opponent, Anne's eyes widened.
"Whoa there! Competitor Lunamaria's body radiates light... This is... Could it be?"
"Yes, it's the . I never expected that she, who has only been a maid for a short time, has grown up to be able to use Maid Burst..."
Seeing that the atmosphere around Lunamaria has completely changed, Anne fearlessly smiled. As if to say that the match has become one worth fighting...
Amidst the excited atmosphere in the venue though, Lilia, who was watching the match, muttered quietly with a distant look in her eyes.
[...If I remember correctly, it was more like I was made to watch this match after a threatening exchange...]
***
[Afterword]
Serious-senpai : [D*mn it... This kind of seriousness isn't something I would admit. Also, a new Maid-related word appeared again... What the heck is a Maid Burst!?]