Asahina gritted her teeth, but there was no surprise on her face.
It seems like a bad premonition had come true. But the real problem lies in what’s to come. No matter how much we discuss the possibilities, if we don’t consider what’s ahead, we can’t be said to have “grasped” the situation.
“Ahahahahahaha! Excellent! It doesn’t matter if the order has changed, you’ll do just fine! I’ll crush you and demolish Class C with all my might!”
Shinzaki’s face was twisted with madness. Asahina and the others darkened with a sense of crisis.
Everyone was focused on their imminent clash.
The other contestants were the same.
The sheer gravity of the situation made everyone momentarily turn their attention there.
It was a small lapse of attention that was hard to fault.
I closed my eyes and let out a sigh.
Everyone had their eyes on the battle between Class C and Class B.
–And in that moment, it was all over.
“…Huh?”
Someone murmured.
When they realized it, all the headbands had disappeared.
Of course, Kurashiki’s and Shinzaki’s headbands were no exception.
As if it had never existed from the start.
Like an illusion, it vanished in the blink of an eye.
Even Asahina-san and Shinzaki were surprised by that scene.
There was no carelessness, was there? Their vigilance must have been raised to the limit.
And yet, the difference in class was too great.
[Wh-What…? What happened!? Th-The Class 1-A! In that instant, they’ve taken down all the headbands…the king!]
All eyes turned towards that class.
Conspicuously, countless headbands were piled up in front of the Class A students.
Asahina-san looked back at Kurashiki, who was wearing the king’s headband.
Kurashiki’s eyes were wide open, and Asahina-san also returned her gaze to the mountain of headbands, with surprise.
…Was I the only one who saw it?
“…That monster.”
Before the competition started, that person had collected all the headbands.
And the preparations proceeded with all the headbands collected.
Even though no one was wearing the [king]’s headband, everyone had the illusion that they were. They thought it was [there], having a physical presence.
That was the illusion that everyone present must have had.
That’s why the emcee student declared the start of the competition.
In that moment, the victory had already been decided.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me?”
Even Shinzaki had a strained smile.
Perhaps the reason for deliberately delaying the dispelling of the illusion was to gauge the abilities of Shinzaki and Asahina-san.
Looking towards Class A, there was a white-haired, red-eyed girl among the participants.
Stronger than anyone, wiser than anyone, nobler than anyone.
For the girl who had been walking the path of constant victory, even deliberately losing would be difficult.
…What was that “observing” all about?
It was as if the girl was saying, “I can do this much, you know.”
She looked straight at me and smiled cheerfully.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Next up was the fifth event, the [obstacle race]. This was where Higarashi-san shone.
–Higarashi Chacha. Her special power is [Grasping Reality].
Her ability to comprehend all phenomena within a 360-degree radius and 50-meter range is an overpowered cheat skill, even if it’s not combat-oriented.
She used her power to overcome all kinds of obstacles.
She managed to place, but…these were second- and third-year students, after all. There were two even more formidable competitors, so Higarashi-san ended up in third place.
And then, the sixth event, the [Relay Race].
This was where Asahina-san and Kurashiki really showed their stuff.
Explaining the details would give me a headache, so I’ll skip that. Lots of things happened, let’s just forget about it.
“Whoa, I did pretty well for me, didn’t I? Eh, Amamori?”
“Ah, as expected of the next vice-president of the Literature Club.”
“Hmph, the vice-president is Amamori-kun, you know!”
At my words, Hoshina-san puffed out her cheeks. She’s so cute.
While I was feeling amused by Hoshina-san, the seventh event had finally arrived.
–Yes, it was finally my turn.
[And now, the next event is the highlight of the sports festival – the cavalry battle!]
The four participants from Class C, including myself, gathered on the field.
The members were me, Sakuma, Karasuma, and Nishikimachi.
I’ll say it again – Nishikimachi!
“Woohoo! Amazing, amazing! I’m getting pumped up!”
A deafening voice could be heard, and we frowned.
What’s essential for the cavalry battle is the strength of the horse and the skill of the rider.
So, we decided to put Karasuma Tōji, the top trickster in Class C, on top. But we really agonized over who would be the horse.
Someone with high physical ability like me or Sakuma was an obvious choice, but…we just couldn’t find someone who could match our power.
–Except for the one man, Nishikimachi.
“Nishikimachi… don’t just go charging in on your own.”
“I got it! I’ll do my best, so watch me!”
“First, try lowering the volume of your voice.”
“Okay!!”
His voice seemed to have gotten even louder.
Well… Nishikimachi is quite the oddball, or rather, a total klutz, but he’s the biggest guy among us. Compared to me, he’s over 20 centimeters taller.
His physique is truly a natural talent. In fact, his performance as a cavalry horse should be top-notch.
[Let me explain the rules again! The cavalry battle is simple! If the balloon on the head of the cavalry leader is popped, they’re out! Only the leader is allowed to use their special power. If any other member uses their power, they’re disqualified immediately! Also, falling off the horse results in disqualification!]
“…This is tough, you get it, Amamori?”
“Don’t use your power, don’t let Karasuma fall. That’s it.”
Nishikimachi. The problem is that he’s fatally stupid, but…well, I’ll just have to handle that somehow.
[Alright everyone, are you ready?]
With me in the lead, Sakuma and Nishikimachi formed the cavalry, and Karasuma sat on top of us as the leader.
“Alright, then let’s show ’em something cool!”
Karasuma gave the battle cry as the leader.
But this competition won’t be that easy.
After all, Class 1-C has placed in every event so far.
First Event, memory card [First Place]
Second Event, Ball Toss [Third Place]
Third Event, Tiger Tumbling [Second Place]
Fifth Event, Obstacle Race [Third Place]
Sixth Event, Relay Race…this one was also [First Place].
The results of the regular exams have not been announced yet…but for the students who did not do well, this must be a heartwarming bonus pay. However, for the upperclassmen, it is not very amusing.
This sudden bonus has been snatched away by the first-year students.
……It’s easy to imagine that [they’ll come to teach a lesson] soon.
“It’s Class 1-C! Destroy that class!”
“Don’t forget the other classes either! But Class C is particularly cheeky, with the first-years winning event after event! Here, let’s thoroughly crush them!”
“It’s war aaaaaaah! Charge, charge!”
“……Wow, they’re really fired up. We’re in trouble.”
Karasuma muttered with much hostility received from above.
I look at the problem classes, 1-A and 1-B, but I don’t see Tachibana or Shinzaki participating.
In that case, it would be wiser to focus the defense on the upperclassmen.
“Well, whatever! It’s the same whether we defeat everyone, right?”
“You seem pretty relaxed…well, if it’s your special ability, it shouldn’t be a problem, I guess.”
“Hehehe! Our secret weapon is finally in action!”
Sakuma chuckled wryly, and Nishikimachi laughed. Before we knew it, the start time was just around the corner.
The emcee student takes a deep breath, holding the microphone in one hand–
[Alright, let the competition begin!]
–At that moment, many students rush towards us with shouts.
It’s too obvious that they’re aiming for a single point. Aren’t they ashamed as upperclassmen!
“Karasuma, leave the mounted combat to us. We’ll crush the ordinary opponents.”
“That’s pretty ominous! Well, I trust you, my friend!”
Karasuma spreads his arms, and a golden bow that has never been seen before materializes.
As he draws the bow back, a golden arrow is born.
“Oh, this time it’s the bow and arrow!”
Nishikimachi exclaims in surprise, and Karasuma lets the arrow fly!
It flies towards the balloons of the enemy team, but it is narrowly avoided and fails to stop the opponent’s team.
“Hah! Using a bow is such a common ability! So the mighty Class 1-C has finally run out of tricks, huh!”
The opponent team that dodged the arrow taunts and charges forward.
But Karasuma was confident in his victory.
“Oh, who said I’m just a bow user, senpai?”
Karasuma laughed as he disappeared from our sight.
In the midst of the stunned silence of the approaching teams, I saw Karasuma, who had used [teleportation] to appear behind the previous team.
“Got one!”
Karasuma’s spinning kick shatters the opponent team’s balloon.
As they turn in surprise, Karasuma’s figure has already vanished.
Looking up with a heavy feeling, there is Karasuma Tōji, back in his original position.
“As always, your ability is one that allows anything.”
“Yep, that’s just how my power is!”
Karasuma makes a finger gun gesture with a cool expression, and at the same time, the sound of a balloon bursting is heard.
Looking in that direction, the arrow Karasuma had fired earlier had popped the balloon.
……Well, you can’t dodge that.
The missed arrow automatically boomeranged back.
“The ability to create [arrows that never miss] and the ability to [teleport] instantly. How’s that, upperclassmen? If you have any other requests, I’ll do my best.”
“Wh-What…what is this guy?! Multiple special abilities?! What’s going on here?!”
That’s right, it’s certainly shocking when you first see it. I honestly thought my jaw was going to drop.
Because this man is wielding numerous special abilities.
“My ability–[The Hollow King], the power to become any special ability I wish.”
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